Mabilog willing to testify in ICC drug war probe

Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog on Friday said he is willing to testify in the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the Duterte administration's drug war.

“Of course, I am very much willing to fly anywhere, Hague or whatever venue in the Philippines, because all that I have to do is to tell the truth,” Mabilog told Dobol B TV in an interview.

Based on government records, around 6,200 drug suspects were killed during the Duterte administration's anti-drug operations. Human rights organizations, however, say that the number may reach 30,000 due to the unreported related slays.

In January 2023, the ICC authorized the reopening of the inquiry after it was suspended in November 2021.

Mabilog was included in Duterte’s drug watch list in 2016.

The former Iloilo mayor, in an emotional statement during a House hearing, emphasized that he is "not a drug protector" and questioned the credibility of the drug list.  

Mabilog also said he decided against returning to the country from a speaking engagement in Japan due to threats on his life in 2017.

"I made a call and spoke to General Bato who expressed his sympathy. He was talking to me in Bisaya. He told me he knew I was innocent, that I wasn't involved in illegal drugs, and he promised to help me,” Mabilog told lawmakers.

“Just after that call, my Philippine cellphone rang. This time, it was another general. His voice was grim: ‘Mayor, do not return. Your life is in danger. The accusations against you are all fabricated, but if you go to Crame, you’ll be forced to point fingers to an opposition senator and a former presidential candidate as drug lords,’” he added. 

Mabilog revealed that he was referring to former senators Mar Roxas II and Franklin Drilon, his second cousin.

Dela Rosa, who was the Philippine National Police chief at the time, on Thursday said it was "incredible" for him to summon Mabilog to Camp Crame to be killed. 

In a separate interview on Dobol B TV, Dela Rosa said that Mabilog was included in the drug list because of his possible connection with the Odictas who were alleged drug lords in Iloilo City.

Dela Rosa said the ex-mayor told him that his supposed link to Odictas possibly stemmed from the connection of his city administrator to these personalities.

“Inamin niya naman sa akin, ‘Sir ako ay nali-link lang dyan kay Odicta dahil yung aking city administrator ay palaging pumupunta si Odicta. Ang presumption ng tao parang nangongolekta ito ng drug money’,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he decided to help because he believed that Mabilog was not involved in illegal drugs based on his impression of the ex-mayor. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News