ILOILO CITY — Mayor Mariano Malones of Maasin, Iloilo, who has been linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to illegal drugs, has been receiving death threats.
“I received a lot,” Malones said during a media interview here Wednesday afternoon, adding that his family is very worried.
He said he began receiving death threats following the killing of local officials in other parts of the country.
Malones stood firm that he is not guilty of any accusation linking him to illegal drug activities.
“My conscience is clear, so I am not afraid of what will happen to me,” he said, adding that in fact, he has no police security since he began serving as mayor of Maasin.
“The security will not matter if someone has intent to kill me,” Malones was unable to disclose more information about the threats he has received as he got emotional.
He also did not respond when asked if the threats have been reported to the police.
Last year, Maasin was declared cleared of illegal drugs by the Regional Oversight Committee led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas.
Malones said that the clearing of his town is proof that he is not guilty of being involved in illegal drug activities.
Aside from Malones, mayors Salagunting Betita of Carles and Alex Centena of Calinog have also been linked by the President to illegal drugs. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
