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[av_heading heading=’MABILOG TO ESPENIDO: ‘OBSERVE RULE OF LAW’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – An emotional Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, publicly named and shamed as a drug protector, welcomed the deployment to Iloilo of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido but reminded the police official to observe the rule of law.
Speaking to city government employees after the flag-raising ceremony at city hall yesterday morning, Mabilog said he expected Espenido to do what the police official himself said he would – gather evidence first and investigate before jumping to conclusions.
“Two weeks ago, nagsiling si Presidente medyo wala na. I don’t know what happened. So again, sustain naton ini. Kita nga mga Ilonggo, himuon naton tanan tanan,” said Mabilog.
Sen. Franklin Drilon, a cousin of Mabilog, said on Monday that Espenido’s Iloilo deployment was “a cause of concern because of his track record.”
The mayors of Ozamiz City and Albuera, Leyte linked to the illegal drug trade were killed in separate police operations where Espenido was chief of police.
“The posting of Espenido is a prerogative of the President and the peace-loving, cultured and law-abiding Ilonggos welcome him to Iloilo City,” said Drilon. “I hope he does follow the rules of engagement.”
Mabilog rejected the charge he was coddling drug traffickers.
“With God as my witness, I have never protected anyone, especially in illegal drugs. Never. I will never do that,” he said.
The mayor said President Rodrigo Duterte himself reminded Espenido to observe the rule of law.
On Monday, Duterte said unlawful killing of drug suspects won’t be tolerated. But he reiterated police had a right to defend themselves if suspects were resisting arrest.
“Murder and homicide or whatever. Unlawful killing is not allowed,” said the President.
But in the police’s performance of their duty, said the President, when their lives are in danger, “your duty requires you to overcome the resistance of the person you are arresting.”
BIG CHALLENGE
Mabilog expressed hope that Espenido’s Iloilo assignment would give Ilonggos the opportunity to let the President know about the city government’s efforts against illegal drugs.
“Let us to show to him and let us show to our dear President that illegal drugs have no place in Iloilo City,” he said.
Among others, Mabilog said, the city government donated a detention facility to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), a van to transport drug-sniffing dogs, and four motorcycles.
The city police, on the other hand, received back-to-back vehicles, motorcycles, guns and even new police stations in Molo and Mandurriao districts, he added.
Still, Mabilog acknowledged that the problem on illegal drugs remained a “big challenge.” He urged residents to support and cooperate with Espenido.
“I did exert everything…according to my ability and my knowledge. If it is not enough, I publicly would like to say I am sorry,” he said.
Mabilog said his expertise is public administration, urban planning and developmental planning, not peace and order.
“Ang peace and order isa ina sa akon nga weaknesses. Indi ako expert dira, wala ako exposure. But I try my best. I totally rely on the experts, the police and the PDEA. Witness man kamo da, especially ang members sang ICADAC (Iloilo City Antidrug Abuse Council) and CPOC (City Peace and Order Council). I totally rely on the reports of every station commander. The city police director gives the report , PDEA gives the report over the past seven or eight years since 2010 every quarter kun ano pangayuon nila sa akon,” he explained.
In Pampanga province on Monday, President Duterte said Mabilog was still in his updated “drug list.”
“Well, I’ll tell you again, mayor. Dinadawit ka, for the longest time. Updated list, nandiyan ka,” Duterte said.
Addressing Mabilog further, the President said yesterday, “E sa totoo lang, ngayon pang wala na nangyari, baka gusto mo nang tapusin ang connection mo…Do not protect, do not call the police, ganito na ganito…Do not just mess up with the…kasi ’pag nandiyan, drug lord ka rin e. Mapipilitan ako. Bakit ka nagprotektar?”
WHY RESIGN?
Mabilog said resignation would have been an easy way out for him.
“Mahapos lang tani para sa akon, pwede na lang ko tani maka-resign para magtawhay na lang ang aton nga syudad para…I don’t know kun ano matabo,” he told city government employees.
But, he said, “I have the mandate of the Ilonggos to serve as mayor until 2019.”
“I will stay because first and foremost, I have never protected anyone in illegal drugs or even in any form of criminality,” said Mabilog.
He addressed the President’s accusation squarely.
“Wala ko may natawgan maskin sin-o nga indi sya pagtandogon or indi sya pagdakpon or kun madakpan sya, pag gwaon. Wala gid. Never,” he said.
Mabilog also said he had never been a drug user or addict, or pusher.
“I have never used maskin isa, maskin elementary, high school, college, maskin professional na ko, wala gid ko katilaw sang ilegal nga droga. Kag wala gid ko kaagi baligya, wala ko kakilala ano tsura niya na,” he said.
Mabulog then turned biblical and sought for prayers.
“Let us do our own part and let us give everything to God. Leave everything to God because He will do the rest for us,” he said.
Mabilog admitted being concerned of what will happen to him. But citing the book of Corinthians in the Bible, he said God “has already planned everything for us.”
“Biskan indi mo na luyag matabo kun ara na sa Iya plano, matabo ina. Biskan gatindog ako diri subong kag gusto Niya mapatay ako, matabo na lang ko di’ nga mapatay…All we have to do is submit ourselves to Him,” he said.
Mabilog encouraged residents to do their part to help the government in its fight against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs.
“Let us just continue to pray and surrender everything to the Lord and it is only through His will that this will be done. I also encourage every Ilonggo to do his part, do not wait only. Be vigilant and help the government,” said Mabilog.
He then urged Ilonggos to pray “for our President. Pray for our nation…Pray for our city, for every Ilonggo and pray for your mayor.”/PN
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