MANILA – Several senators pressed for action from authorities on the recent killings of two local chief executives. They viewed the incidents as systemic rather than isolated.
Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija was shot to death Tuesday, a day after the fatal shooting of Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas.
The killings of local politicians, priests, journalists, and prosecutors were no longer isolated incidents, Sen. Nancy Binay said.
“No amount of condemnation would bring justice to these killings and murders unless the authorities seriously do everything in its powers and mandate to resolve the seeming lawlessness that is happening in the country,” said Binay.
She added: “Hindi po dapat tratuhin ng Philippine National Police ang mga insidenteng ito bilang isolated cases ng murder o personal vendetta.
“Bagkus ay tingnan bilang isang systemic failure ng mga kinauukulan na hadlangan at sugpuin ang krimen ayon na rin sa paninindigan ng Pangulo sa isyu.”
Sen. Francis Pangilinan described Bote as “humble, hardworking and upright public servant.” His murder was “a wrenching reminder of the breakdown of law and order in our country.”
Pangilinan, leader of the opposition Liberal Party, lamented the “failure” of the Duterte administration to “eliminate widespread criminality, lawlessness and corruption” two years after its anticrime war began.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, said the recent murders in broad daylight were “seriously alarming.”
“We urge the authorities to investigate the brazen killing of our local officials,” Villanueva said. “Perpetrators must be immediately held liable and justice must be served.”
Malacañang expressed confidence that the Philippine National Police will “conduct a fair and thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
“We assure everyone that we would discharge the state obligation for every murder,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said. “We will spare no effort in getting to the bottom of this latest violent crime.”/PN
