Mayor hopeful drug kingpin’s death will end drug trade in Iloilo City

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is hopeful that the death of Richard Prevendido, allegedly a notorious drug lord in the city, will mean an end to the illegal drug trade there.

“Prevendido's death is an exclamation point that will put an end to the era of illegal drugs in Iloilo City,” Mabilog said in a statement.

Joint elements of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Iloilo City police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Jaro police station and the police Regional Intelligence Division on Friday evening raided the house of Prevendido, a known drug lord in the Western Visayas.

Prevendido and his son Jason were the only occupants of the secluded two-story house in Phase 4, Landheights Subdivision in Barangay Balabago in Jaro that police raided.

READ: Iloilo’s most wanted drug kingpin killed in shootout

The two suspects were killed after they reportedly clashed with  police when they were about to serve the arrest warrant issued by Judge Daniel Antonio Amular of the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court.

Earlier, a P1.1-million bounty was offered for Prevendido’s arrest, of which P500,000 was offered by the Iloilo City government and another P500,000 by the Iloilo provincial government. Police Regional Office 6 offered an additional P100,000 as the suspect remained elusive.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Prevendido had been on its national watch list of illegal drug personalities.

Prevendido reportedly  took over the Iloilo drug trade after the death of Melvin Odicta Sr., head of the Odicta group, who was gunned down on August 29, 2016 in Malay, Aklan. Prevendido and two of his nephews were charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) relative to the PDEA drug raid on Oct. 21, 2016 in Mandurriao, Iloilo city.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said authorities have yet to establish a connection of between Prevendido and Mayor Mabilog, whom President Rodrigo Duterte has included in his "narco-list" — a list of government officials allegedly linked to the drug trade.

Three mayors whose names appeared on the "narco-list" have died in police operations so far.

Duterte also ordered a lifestyle check on Mabilog.

Dela Rosa said police had earlier established that Mabilog was a protector of Odicta. No charges have been filed.

Mabilog has reportedly announced that he is giving another P1 million reward for the arrest of other drug lords in his city following Prevendido's death.

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