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BY LUIS BUENAFLOR JR.
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Monday, September 4, 2017
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LET’S START with this news item that set the natives of “I Am Iloilo” City in frenzy, some in a panic mode while some were like buzzards circling above the dying prey and most were in a jubilant mode as if manna was raining down from heaven.
Moi was almost expecting dancing in the streets to the beat of the Dinagyang drums.
From the Inquirer.net’s Aug. 28 issue:
Duterte to Espenido: You wanted transfer to Iloilo, will Mabilog stay alive?
“Mabuhay kaya siya?” President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday, referring to Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, as he announced the assignment of Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.
Espenido was the police commander of Albuera, Leyte, when Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed in an alleged shootout inside the sub provincial jail in Baybay City.
Espenido also led the raids on the houses of the Parojinog clan in July that led to the death of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others.
“I will ask you again. You asked for the assignment sa Leyte. Namatay ang mayor doon,” Duterte told Espenido in a speech during the National Heroes’ Day Celebration in Taguig City.
“You asked for another assignment sa Ozamiz, namatay ang mayor doon, si Parojinog.”
“Ngayon, gusto mo sa Iloilo, kasi si Mabilog has been identified as a protector mayor. Mabuhay kaya siya? Gusto ko ng tanungin kasi ako naman ang pagbibintangan. Eh ikaw nga nagbaril diyan tapos ako ang napa-publish kung saan-saan eh,” Duterte said.
Mabilog has been included in the drug list of the President for allegedly protecting drug syndicates, an accusation the mayor has repeatedly denied.
Almost immediately as if on cue, we see posting on social media netizens all declaring undying love for the beleaguered former World Mayor No. 5 Jed Patrick Mabilog, currently Mayor of “I Am Iloilo City”, lately the most “shabu-lized” and “bedrock of illegal drugs.”
Well, that is to be expected as whether they like it or not, Jed Mabilog has his share of loyal supporters that will stay with him “for better or worst.” Hopefully his wife Marivic will also do the same.
The funny thing there is that alongside these posts on social media, the very same people declaring undying love for Jed are also saying that Jed is already pronounced guilty, it seems to moi that the only people saying he is guilty are his so-called supporters.
Really, have you heard President Duterte or Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido say that Jed is guilty? That he is included in the narco-politicians list, yes, and he will be or is already investigated, yes, but guilty? No, or not yet.
Yes, Jed Mabilog is not “I Am Iloilo” City. He’s just the mayor the natives elected and pay his salary with their taxes and that folks makes him a public servant and not the personification of Iloilo City.
If President Rodrigo Duterte has his sights on him because of his alleged “involvement” with illegal drugs, it is not an attack on Iloilo City or its citizens. It is an attack on Jed Mabilog the mayor.
Seriously, do you think the label “shabu-lized” and “bedrock of illegal drugs” happened because of Iloilo City and its citizens, or it was because of Jed Mabilog being the mayor and the rest of the politicians who controlled Jed and Iloilo politics?
The top two drug lords running the drug trade in Iloilo City, the late Melvin Odicta Sr. and the just exterminated Richard Prevendido, were not creations of President Rodrigo Duterte. They were enjoying life and rubbing elbows with the political leaders of“I Am Iloilo” City long before he ever thought of running for president.
To say that accusing former World Mayor No. 5 Jed Mabilog of being a narco-politician or an illegal drugs protector is an affront to Iloilo City shows ignorance of the whole issue. You’re completely out of touch with reality, you profit from doing so, or all of the above.
If Jed Mabilog lands in jail or becomes another “Parojinog”, he falls by himself and will not bring down Iloilo City with him. Whatever problems he is facing now is of his own doing. And now it’s payback time.
And incidentally in case you missed it, the delay and cancellation of Police Chief Inspector Espenido’s posting to “I Am Iloilo “City is just part of the ongoing “Jed Mabilog Peep Show.”
It seems the political striptease of President Duterte worked but the prayer rally and candle light thingy is far too much as it’s like having a funeral when Jed Mabilog is still alive.
Oh well, sometimes panic and desperation makes people do stupid things. (brotherlouie16@gmail.com/PN)
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