NEGROS Occidental Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante expressed support to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, his second cousin, saying he does not believe he is involved in illegal drug trade.
“I don’t believe that he is into narco-politics. I believe there is still justice left in the country. I know Jed can prove himself that he is not involved in illegal drugs,” he said.
Escalante said that Mabilog’s mother Melchorita Escalante is the cousin of his father Salvador Sr.
Escalante, who is the acting governor this week, made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte assigned Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.
The President had earlier warned Mabilog to end his connections to drug syndicates, reiterating his warning that all drug personalities may face death under his watch.
Espenido’s new assignment stirred controversy as he was the police chief in Albuera when the town mayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed in his detention cell in November 2016.
During his stint as Ozamiz City police head, the town mayor, Reynaldo Parojinog, was also slain in a drug raid.
