By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Second District Board Member and current Negros Occidental acting Governor Salvador Escalante expressed confidence that Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog can clear his name over allegations of involvement in illegal drug activities.
In an interview, Escalante said he does not believe his second cousin is involved in 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,” Escalante said.
He said Mabilog’s mother, Melchorita Escalante, is the cousin of his father Salvador, Sr.
Escalante made the statement amid the assignment of the controversial Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido in Iloilo per order of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Espenido led the operation that led to the killing of Mayor Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte, who was an alleged drug lord; and the killing of Parojinog family in Ozamiz.
Duterte has been naming Mabilog in illegal drug operations in Iloilo and had given him time to cut his alliance with the drug lords in Iloilo. These allegations were vehemently denied by the local chief executive./WDJ