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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, September 1, 2017
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ILOILO City – Even without an order from the court, a four-man team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 6 entered the compound of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s residence in Barangay Tap-oc, Molo district yesterday afternoon, looked around and took pictures.
The NBI operatives declined to be interviewed but one of them said they were there on the instruction of their director.
Mabilog was not in the city yesterday. He was in Japan on an official trip.
On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed having ordered the NBI to conduct a lifestyle check on Mabilog whom he accused of being a drug coddler.
The NBI operatives entered the compound around 3 p.m. and left after some 20 minutes. The media observed them taking photos of, among others, the four vehicles at the garage.
Ariel Castañeda, a trusted aide of the mayor serving as chairperson of the city government’s Local Economic Enterprise Office, clarified the mayor gave his consent for the NBI to inspect the compound.
Journalists rushed to the Mabilog compound after getting wind that the NBI men were on their way there.
The operatives failed to enter the house itself. For a while they waited for the mayor’s lawyer to arrive then decided to leave.
Mabilog’s wife Marivic and children were not around.
As the team was heading back to their vehicle, Mabilog’s brother and executive assistant JV Mabilog arrived.
“They advised us na malakat lang sila,” he told reporters.
The mayor’s brother told journalists he was not sure if the NBI men had legal documents to enter the compound.
“Like what the President said, there should be due process, and the rule of law should always be observed. Based on that, dira man kami ma-rely. Open man ang balay as long as malisensya lang, wala gid problema,” he added.
He allowed journalists to inspect the mayor’s house that Duterte likened to a “palace” on Wednesday.
Mabilog’s spokesperson Atty. Mark Piad confirmed the mayor gave his consent for the NBI to enter the compound.
“Mayor Mabilog has nothing to hide and is committed to cooperate,” he stressed.
JV Mabilog admitted these were anxious times for their family.
“We just don’t want to experience what happened to other families. We are a simple family. We love to serve public and the people of Iloilo,” he said.
In Ozamis City on July 30, that city’s mayor, Reynaldo Parojinog whom Duterte linked to illegal drugs, was killed in a police raid. His wife and 13 others were also shot to death.
Just this Monday, Duterte ordered the transfer of Ozamiz’s police chief to Iloilo City. As of this writing, however, Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido was yet to report to the Iloilo City Police Office.
JV Mabilog appealed for prayers.
“We expect a worst-case scenario, that is why kami, si mayor nagapangayo sang prayers. We are concerned for our safety,” he said.
Speaking to city hall employees on Tuesday, 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.
Sen. Franklin Drilon, a cousin of Mabilog, said Espenido’s Iloilo deployment was “a cause of concern because of his track record.”
“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.”/PN
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