Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa has dismissed the statements made by former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog during the quad committee hearing, calling it part of a “demolition job.”
Mabilog, who appeared before the quad committee on Thursday, September 19, claimed he had received information that he was being pressured to implicate former Senators Franklin Drilon and Mar Roxas as drug lords.
Mabilog also revealed that he had received threats after former President Rodrigo Duterte labeled him as a protector of drug syndicates.
In his testimony, Mabilog mentioned that he was invited by Dela Rosa, then the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, to Camp Crame. However, he decided not to attend after receiving a warning call advising him against going.
Dela Rosa countered by stating that the investigation was nothing more than a “fishing expedition” aimed at finding fault with Duterte and his allies.
He further claimed that Mabilog’s testimony was being used to damage the reputation of Vice President Sara Duterte, who is speculated to run for president in 2028.
“This is a demolition job to weaken all of us, especially VP Sara ahead of 2028… It’s a fishing expedition, trying to find faults in Duterte and his associates,” Dela Rosa said, defending the former president and his allies.
Dela Rosa also stressed that he had no knowledge of any involvement by Drilon or Roxas in illegal drugs and added that Duterte never ordered him to include anyone, not even political rivals, on the drug list.
“I have no information. And we don’t have any basis to name anyone, why would we do that? Why would I implicate people with good reputations?” the former PNP chief added.
Dela Rosa challenged Mabilog to name the general who allegedly told him about the supposed plan to frame Drilon and Roxas as drug lords.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo stated that they would reach out to Mabilog’s camp to verify his allegations.
Fajardo emphasized that the police force remains apolitical and fair in their investigations.