Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog revealed in Thursday’s Quad Committee hearing how the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign that killed thousands of Filipinos was not just a war on drugs but also a smokescreen to target and eliminate political rivals.
Mabilog, whose name was placed on Duterte’s infamous narco-list, accused the previous administration of weaponizing law enforcement agencies, under former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now Senator Ronald dela Rosa, to serve political vendettas.
In his opening statement, Mabilog firmly denied any involvement in illegal drugs.
“First of all, I declare that I was not and never will be a drug protector! I don’t know personally nor did I benefit in any way from any illegal drug personality in Iloilo or anywhere else,” he stated, saying no drug-related cases were filed against him until now.
Mabilog pointed out that the narco-list became a “hit list” and accused the Duterte administration of using it to silence political opponents. “If you look closely, the names of political opponents were included in a validated list of drug personalities in the subsequent PRRD list,” he said.
“Despite the questionable information, no validation or confirmation has been done by any government agency on the Malacañang initiated list… This PRRD list allegedly became a ‘hit list,” Mabilog added.
The former mayor described how the threats against him escalated, eventually forcing him and his family into self-exile. ” President Duterte repeatedly threatened through the media, saying outright that he would kill me,” Mabilog recalled.
He recounted a chilling episode in 2017 when he received a call from then PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, inviting him to Camp Crame. The meeting was repeatedly delayed, increasing his anxiety.
“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 surrounding their home, prepared to kill him if he went to Camp Crame.
He added that 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 called as saying.
“The terror was paralyzing. I couldn’t believe it – my life was hanging by a thread,” Mabilog shared, describing the intense fear that led him to leave the Philippines.
While in Japan, Mabilog said he received a call from Police Gen. Dela Rosa, who expressed sympathy and told him he knew Mabilog was innocent.
“He told me he knew I was innocent that I wasn’t involved in illegal drugs and he promised to help me,” Mabilog recounted.
However, another general soon warned him not to return to the Philippines.
Mabilog stressed that law enforcement agencies were being used to serve political purposes, a practice that he said erodes 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.
“These institutions need to be strengthened so that they are not simply used or influenced by politics,” he declared.
Mabilog urged Congress to hold accountable those who abuse their power for personal and political gain. “No individual should be able to wield such unchecked authority regardless of their position or power,” he said.
“Accusations must be duly validated and authenticated first before any public announcement to avoid shaming and destroying the honor, reputation, and good image of a hardworking and innocent person,” the former mayor added.
Mabilog thanked the House Quad Committee for inviting him to the hearing, which he said gave him the opportunity to clear his name as well as Iloilo City in the politically motivated drug charges.
