(HOLD) Mabilog camp mulls filing case vs alleged bagman accuser

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Iloilo city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said it is bent on filing a case against the alleged bagman or “paymaster” who accused him of being involved in illegal drug trade in the Visayan region.

Mabilog’s spokesperson Mark Piad dismissed the allegations of the mayor’s accuser, Ricky Serenio, as “fake news.”

“Such allegations are incredible without proper factual basis and a product of an imaginative moron. These absurd allegations are nothing more than fake news,” Piad said in a text message interview with Philstar.com.

In an affidavit obtained by Aksyon Radyo Iloilo forwarded to Philstar.com, 35-year-old Serenio who identified himself as “paymaster” of Berya Drug Ring for two years since 2015, named Mabilog as a drug protector of late Melvin Odicta Sr., head of the Odicta group.

According to Serenio, the mayor partnered with Odicta while former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and former Senate President now Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon allegedly wanted to take over the operations in the illegal market in Bacolod and the entire Negros Island covered.

As paymaster of protection money in the drug trade in Bacolod and some parts of Negros Occidental, Serenio claimed he was exposed to the truths and lies, open secrets and personalities involved in the drug trade in the region including “narco-politicians” who aid or help the drug business as coddler or partner.

“I am referring to the druglords being protected by none other than Mar Roxas and Franklin Drilon, who had the plan of controlling the illegal drug business in the Western Visayas-Panay/Negros,” an excerpt of the supposed affidavit read.

“That Mar Roxas and Franklin Drilon are the political patrons of Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog who is closely connected to the two as shown in the political inclination of the city which is a “pro-yellow” during the elections in 2016. However, there is a deeper reason to that affiliation,” it added.

Serenio cited that Mabilog is a nephew Drilon. The accuser claimed that it is a public knowledge that during the term of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Drilon being an ally and a former Senate president, “was more than influential, powerful and capable to control drug trade  in Iloilo City.”

Due to Serenio’s claims, Mabilog’s camp said it is thinking of filing a case against Serenio.

“We are determined to file cases against him and see who is the real author of these irresponsible allegations against Mayor Mabilog,” Piad said.

Philstar.com sought for Drilon camp’s reaction regarding the issue but his staff said the senator is currently out of the country.

The affidavit was filed and received last October 18. It was signed by La Carlota City, Negros Occidental City Prosecutor Victor Tañuso.

Philstar.com is still verifying the authenticity of the affidavit with the Department of Justice.

In August 2016, Mabilog was among the narcopoliticians named by Duterte from Iloilo City which he tagged as the "most shabulized city." Drilon last year aid he is saddened and hurt over the implication of local executives in his hometown of Iloilo in the illegal drug trade.

Duterte also previously advised Mabilog to cut his supposed links to the illegal drug trade after assigning controversial Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.

RELATED: Drilon hurt over Ilonggo officials tagged in illegal drug trade