NBI orders lifestyle check vs execs on Duterte drug list

ILOILO CITY — Aside from Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, other government officials in Western Visayas linked to illegal drugs and corruption are being subjected to lifestyle checks, an official of the National Bureau of Investigation said.

Lawyer Ramil Quinto, executive officer of the NBI Western Visayas office, said “at least five officials” were subjects of the investigation which started last week.

Quinto said NBI agents were assigned by NBI regional director Max Salvador to each handle the investigation of at least one official.

Quinto declined to identify the officials, but noted these included those allegedly involved in illegal drugs and corruption.

“We will determine if they have violated the unexplained wealth and corruption laws,” Quinto told the Inquirer.

He said Mabilog was supposed to be among those investigated by the regional office but the NBI central office was given the task after President Duterte announced the investigation.

Among the officials named in August last year by the President as allegedly involved in illegal drugs in Western Visayas were Mabilog and Iloilo Mayors Alex Centina (Calinog), Mariano Malones (Maasin), Salagunting Betita (Carles) and Mayor Julius Pacificador of Hamtic town in Antique province.

Also included on Mr. Duterte’s list were former officials and legislators in the region.

NBI agents inspected Mabilog’s house on Aug. 31, days after the President again accused the mayor of being a drug protector, an allegation that Mabilog had denied.

The other officials named by the President had also denied involvement in illegal drugs.

No criminal complaint had been filed by the government against the mayors.

Quinto said they were given 30 days to complete their investigation, which would look into the lifestyle of the officials, their assets and sources of income.

The investigation would also include close relatives and possible dummies for legitimate businesses and illegal activities of the officials.