FILE PHOTO: Jed Patrick Mabilog. INQUIRER/Grig C. Montegrande
ILOILO CITY 鈥� 鈥淎 moment for justice to be served and our nation to heal.鈥�
This was how former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog described the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte over allegations of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a statement, Mabilog recalled the time when he and his family were forced to flee Iloilo and lived abroad after he was repeatedly accused by Duterte of being an illegal drug protector during his term as mayor.
鈥淎s the news of the arrest of former President Duterte reaches us, I pause not to celebrate, but to reflect with a heart full of gratitude to God 鈥� for His justice, mercy, and unfailing love,鈥� Mabilog said.
鈥淔or many years, my family and I walked through a valley of trials and tears. My beloved wife and children endured so much 鈥� standing beside me with silent strength and courage, though still living in fear for our safety and future,鈥� he added.
Mabilog also remembered how the accusations affected his late mother and how he could not visit her on her deathbed due to the continuous threats he received.
鈥淢y late mother, who has now joined our Creator, carried these pains in her heart, and though she is no longer with us, I know she is at peace in God鈥檚 presence, her prayers answered in ways we are only beginning to see,鈥� he said.
Mabilog was first elected mayor of Iloilo City in 2010 and won two more terms.
A year after winning his third term, Mabilog was linked to the illegal drugs trade by Duterte but didn鈥檛 present any evidence to prove his allegations. No drug charges were also filed against Mabilog.
Last year, Mabilog returned to the country after seven years, to clean his name, confident that the present administration would be able to give him due process and fairness.
鈥淚 believe this is not only a moment for justice to be served but a moment for our nation to heal 鈥� to confront the truth, to right the wrongs, and to choose love, compassion, and unity over hate and division.鈥�
Mabilog offered a prayer, thanking God 鈥渇or surrounding me with the right people and removing those who sought to harm.鈥�
鈥淭hank you for closing the doors of oppression and fear, and for opening new doors of hope, justice, and healing,鈥� he said.
鈥淭o all those who, like me and my family, still live in fear but continue to hope and believe in justice 鈥� hold on. God has seen every tear, heard every cry, and His justice will always come in His perfect time,鈥� he added.
Rally
In the capital city of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, at least 650 loyalists and partymates of Duterte joined a solidarity rally on March 12 in front of the Bacolod City Government Center to air their support for their beleaguered leader.
Chanting 鈥淒uterte, Duterte鈥� and waving the Philippine flag,聽聽the protestors called the arrest of Duterte unjust and a violation of Philippine sovereignty.
The police placed the crowd at the solidarity rally at 650 but participants said there were more.
Among those at the rally were Partido Demokratiko Pilipino senatorial candidate Jayvee Hinlo, Negros Occidental gubernatorial bet聽聽Francis Frederick 鈥淲antan鈥� Palanca, and Andoni Llantada, who is running for councilor of Calatrava.
Palanca, PDP-Negros Island Region head, called on their supporters to pray for Duterte, whom he said聽was 鈥渟tolen鈥� and brought to The Netherlands.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said protests to air grievances would be allowed in the city if proper procedures are followed.
鈥淓veryone is given due course to clear one鈥檚 name in our democratic world. Maybe the ICC is a forum for him (Duterte) to clear his name if he believes that the charges against him have no basis and are not true. He will be given his day in court,鈥� Benitez said. With reports from Carla Gomez, Inquirer Visayas
READ: Ex-Iloilo mayor on Duterte鈥檚 drug list returns to PH