Mabilog camp not bothered by ‘wiretap on narco-pols’

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The camp of this city’s Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog was surprised but not bothered by President Duterte’s admission that he had slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog wiretapped.

Duterte earlier accused Mabilog and Parojinog of being narco-politicians.

“We are not worried because the mayor is doing nothing illegal,” lawyer Mark Piad, spokesperson for Mabilog, said. “It’s just a pronouncement. As long as there is no actual case, it doesn’t bother us.”

Although he admitted the wiretapping, Duterte clarified that he never said Mabilog was manufacturing shabu.

The President said Mabilog was a major protector of illegal drug traffickers.

Duterte said Mabilog left the country because the mayor was scared he might suffer the same fate as the Parojinogs.

Mabilog had filed for a leave of absence from Sept. 11 to 30, supposedly to seek treatment abroad for diabetes.

Piad said Mabilog’s health concerns are nothing serious.

“He needed some time off as he is sufferring from stress,” Piad said without revealing where Mabilog is.