Duterte doesn’t hate Iloilo – Dino

ILOILO CITY — Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino denies that President Rodrigo Duterte hates Iloilo.

“Hindi naman. I don’t think so. Mahal niya ang Iloilo, (No, I don’t think so. He loves Iloilo),” said Dino when asked by the Iloilo media.

This, despite the President’s repeated claim that Iloilo is the “bedrock” of illegal drug trade.

Dino downplayed speculations that the issue on illegal drugs is the reason why the President never visited Iloilo, the regional capital of Western Visayas, since he became Chief Executive last year.

Duterte made trips to other areas in the region including Bacolod City in Negros Occidental province and Antique province. Duterte even went to Capiz province, where the paternal roots of his defeated presidential rival Mar Roxas are.

When asked by Manila Bulletin if he is willing to talk to the President with regards to the sentiments of the Ilonggos, Dino said he will.

The President’s constant bashing of Iloilo has alarmed the business community and other private sectors as it has affected the vibrant image of both the city and province, which has undergone bullish growth since 2010.

Ordinary Ilonggos and officials surmise that the President may be getting the wrong information in claiming that Iloilo is the worst drug-affected area in the whole country without validating data from law enforcement agencies.

Some quarters have urged the President to file a case against Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, whom Duterte accused of having links with drug syndicates. Mabilog is only one of the four

Iloilo mayors included in the list of alleged protectors of the illegal drug trade.

Dino said he is planning to bring the President to Iloilo for the 50th anniversary of the Dinagyang Festival on January 2018.