By Francis Allan L. Angelo
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has reiterated that former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is not on the agency’s list of illegal drug personalities, directly countering claims made by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
During a recent House Quad Committee hearing, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo addressed the controversy, saying, “Jed Patrick Mabilog’s name does not appear on PDEA’s list of drug personalities.”
The statement comes in response to Duterte’s repeated accusations during his presidency, where he alleged that Mabilog was involved in the drug trade.
Duterte, who openly threatened Mabilog’s life, claimed his list of drug suspects had been vetted by PDEA and other agencies.
However, Lazo’s testimony refutes those assertions.
The controversy dates back to 2016-2017 when the Duterte administration released a so-called “narco list,” identifying individuals purportedly connected to illegal drugs. Mabilog was not included in PDEA’s version of the list at that time.
Duterte, meanwhile, admitted to taking extreme measures in his anti-drug campaign, including the use of a reward system, planting evidence, and claiming responsibility for the deaths of at least six individuals.
In a recent statement, he also challenged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to come to the Philippines and arrest him for alleged crimes against humanity related to his drug war.
Lazo’s clarification is seen as a significant vindication for Mabilog, who has faced years of stigma due to Duterte’s allegations.
The former president’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which claimed thousands of lives, remains under scrutiny by local and international human rights groups.
The ICC has opened investigations into potential abuses, adding another layer of complexity to Duterte’s legacy.
Mabilog has yet to publicly respond to Lazo’s latest statement.
