Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 8) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday defended the government’s drug list which includes mayors who have been killed, emphasizing the people have the right to know who destroy their lives.
“As a matter of an obligation, I have to come up with the names of those suspected so that the public will be aware and prevent their ascension to public office,” Duterte said during the weekly Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting.
Duterte said hundreds of barangay captains and some mayors are part of the list of narco politicians, which he read to the public in 2019.
The President also denied the drug list came from himself, saying it was a product of intelligence reports from drug enforcement authorities, police, and military.
“It’s not mine, it was only given to me. I’m not the one who makes the list. I’m not the police. I’m not part of the intelligence (groups),” he explained.
Duterte apologized to the family of slain Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Caesar Perez, whose son Aldous insisted his father had no involvement in the illegal drugs trade. The mayor, who was shot dead last Dec. 3 inside the municipal hall, was part of the list read by the President in 2019.
“I’m sorry if your father was there. But really, most of those (in the list) are involved in drugs. Your father might be an exception,” addressed Duterte. “If you believe firmly that he was not guilty or liable of anything, well it’s good. But the problem is his name was in the list.”
The President also fired back at former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s wife Marivic, who defended her husband in social media against accusations linking him to illegal drugs. She urged Duterte to “move on.”
Duterte also told Mabilog’s wife to respect the Ombudsman’s decision to dismiss the mayor from office due to grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
“It is not my fault that your husband’s name appears on that list. I did not create that list,” the President said. “There is no such thing as I have to move on because it is a constant vigilance.”
Mabilog was ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2017 for unexplained wealth in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth from 2012 to 2013. Duterte has repeatedly accused Mabilog of being a narco politician and even ordered a lifestyle check on the public official. Mabilog has denied the allegations.
Duterte also issued another warning to drug lords as he continues his anti-illegal drug war, the centerpiece program of his administration since he assumed the presidency in 2016.
“You take the risk, you earn so much, and live a comfortable life. But at the end of the day, you know what the stakes are,” said Duterte.
READ: Duterte reiterates dismissal of ex-Iloilo City mayor
