Palace assures Mabilog of his safety

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday assured Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of his safety after the local chief executive extended his leave of absence for security reasons.

 

Mabilog is one of the mayors tagged in the illegal drugs trade by President Rodrigo Duterte, who claimed that Iloilo was once a hotbed of narcotics. The mayor has denied involvement in the narcotics trade and has expressed willingness to cooperate with the police in curbing the problem.

 

READ: Duterte orders lifestyle check on Iloilo mayor

 

Mabilog filed a sick leave from September 11 to 30, saying he is suffering from diabetes. He extended his leave for 30 days because of his medical condition and the supposed threats to his life.

 

Asked if there is an assurance that Mabilog would be safe once he returns to the country, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “Of course… this is a pretty democratic country.”

 

“As far as the evidence shows… rule of law prevails,” he added,

 

In an earlier interview, Mabilog’s spokesman Mark Piad claimed that the mayor is not yet fit to return to work and has “serious” threats to his life. He said persistent allegations that Mabilog is protecting drug lords is worsening the mayor’s health condition.

 

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

 

Despite the supposed threats to his life, Mabilog would not resign and would return to work once his condition improves, Piad said.

 

Mabilog filed a sick leave after attending a disaster management summit in Japan from August 30 to September 4 and an urban environment accords forum in Malaysia from September 7 to 9. — Alexis Romero