DUTERTE NARCO-LIST USED TO TARGET POLITICAL RIVALS – EX-ILOILO CITY MAYOR

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial narco-list was used as a “hit list” to  target his political rivals, ex-Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on Thursday told lawmakers.

During a hearing of the House Quad Committee about the extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), Mabilog said the narco-list became a “hit list” and not based on evidence.

Mabilog’s name was included in the Duterte’s narco-list.

“Kung inyong titingnang maigi, isinama ang mga pangalan ng kalaban sa pulitika sa isang validated list ng mga drug personalities sa kasunod na PRRD list. Sa kabila ng mga kuwestiyunableng impormasyong, walang validation o confirmation man lang na ginawa ng kahit na anomang ahensya ng gobyerno sa Malacañang initiated list. Itong PRRD list diumano ay naging isang ‘hit list,’ said the former Iloilo City mayor.

Mabilog, who returned to the country after seven years of self-imposed exile in the United States, denied any involvement in illegal drugs.

The former mayor reiterated that he was not and never will be a protector of illegal drugs.

He said under his leadership as mayor, Iloilo City became the first city in the Philippines to have 100 percent of its Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) activated in 2014.

He, however, said all the efforts were ignored by the Duterte administration following his inclusion in the narco-list.

Mabilog recalled how threats against him escalated, eventually forcing him and his family to self-exile.

“Paulit-ulit ang pagbabanta ni Presidente Duterte sa media, harap-harapang sinasabi na ipapa-patay daw ako,” he said.

He particularly recounted a chilling experience in 2017 when he got a call from then Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa, inviting him to Camp Crame.

“At around 5 p.m., a PNP colonel called me and in a voice that sent shivers down my spine warned me not to go to Camp Crame because my life was in danger,” Mabilog said.

Later that day, Mabilog’s wife received a text message warning them that men were reportedly surrounding their home and were prepared to kill him if he will go to Camp Crame.

The former Iloilo City mayor said he again received a call from a “general” who again warned him not to go to Camp Crame.

“Mayor, do not return. Your life is in danger. The accusations against you are all fabricated. But if you go to Crame, you’ll be forced to point fingers to an opposition senator and a former presidential candidate as drug lords,” he quoted the caller as saying.

“The terror was paralyzing. I couldn’t believe it – my life was hanging by a thread,” Mabilog said.

According to Mabilog, he and his family fled to Japan and later to the United States, where they were granted political asylum.

He said while in Japan,  he received a call from Dela Rosa, who expressed sympathy and told him he knew Mabilog was innocent.

However, another general soon warned him not to return to the Philippines.

Mabilog said law enforcement agencies were being used to serve political purposes, which erode public trust in the government.

“Using state institutions to carry out personal vendettas or silence perceived enemies undermines the foundation of justice and democracy in our country,” he said.

Mabilog called for reforms within law enforcement agencies to ensure they are not manipulated for political gain.

Meanwhile, the former Iloilo City mayor said he is willing to testify before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“Of course I am very much willing to fly anywhere. The Hague or whatever venue in the Philippines because all that I have to do is to tell the truth, he told a radio interview.

Mabilog said he is ready to face any investigation as he stressed that he was never involved in illegal drugs.