Drilon says no talks of protection for Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog
COUSINS. Senate Minority Franklin Drilon says there was no talk of protection or help for his 2nd cousin and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog.
MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he and his cousin, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog, did not talk about any protection or help for the latter after the reassignment of Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.
Drilon said in a Rappler Talk interview on Friday, September 1, that he only talked to Mabilog to inform him of Espenido's transfer. (READ: Narcopolitician or 'best mayor'? Who is Iloilo City's Jed Mabilog?)
Drilon maintained that the reassignment of Espenido to Iloilo City is a “cause of concern” following the track record of the police officer, which President Rodrigo Duterte himself had highlighted when the Chief Executive announced his new assignment on August 28.
Espenido was assigned in two areas where mayors in Duterte's drug list were killed in police operations – Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr of Leyte and Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.
“It’s a cause of concern. I only told him when I received the news that there is this assignment,” Drilon said when asked about Mabilog, his second cousin.
Asked if they discussed anything about the mayor’s protection or any other help for him, Drilon said: “No, no.”
In an earlier interview, Drilon expressed hope that Espenido would follow the rules of engagement when conducting drug operations.
“Good. I hope he does,” Drilon said when asked about Duterte’s reminder to Espenido to follow the rules of engagement amid the public outrage on killings fueled by the death of teenager Kian delos Santos in an anti-drug operation.
Duterte has repeatedly linked Mabilog to the illegal drug trade and said Iloilo is one of the most “shabulized” province in the country, referring to shabu.
The President earlier ordered a lifestyle check on Mabilog, saying the latter lived in a “palace.”
The Iloilo City mayor welcomed the move and said he had "nothing to hide." He denied the drug links and said he and his wife funded their "dream house" from their own hard work.
Espenido, for his part, said it is "God's will" if Iloilo City Mayor Mabilog would live longer. He added that his transfer to Iloilo would not automatically mean Mabilog was in danger of being killed. – Rappler.com
