MANILA – Police urged the public to work closely with them in identifying any lead during the investigation into the killings of local government officials in the recent week.
Law enforcement agencies were set on resolving these incidents, according to Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde.
“We in the PNP are committed in getting to the bottom of this and have already tasked our special investigation task groups on the ground to conduct a thorough investigation,” Albayalde said in a statement. “We will keep you posted as soon as developments arise.”
“We likewise appeal for any information which may help us quickly solve these cases so that justice will be served to the victims and their families,” he added.
Vice Mayor Alexander Cruz Lubigan, 44, of Trece Martires City, Cavite and his driver Romulo Guillemer, 58, were the latest victims of the killings.
Still unidentified gunmen fired at them while traversing the Trece Martires-Indang Road on board a black Toyota Hilux in Barangay Luciano on Saturday.
On July 2 Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas was shot while attending a flag-raising ceremony at their city hall. The shooter, who allegedly used a sniper, remained unidentified.
An ambush in Cabanatuan City the following day led to the death of Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.
The Justice department ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the death of Lubigan. The NBI was already ordered to investigate the killings of Halili and Bote.
Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra said he has instructed NBI director Dante Gierran to determine whether Lubigan’s case was related to the two previous killings.
“We need immediate results,” Guevarra said in a text message. (PNA)
