No speculations until probe on Halili’s slay completed: PNP

Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said that as of now, conclusions as to the motive behind the incident as well as the identity of the gunman are mere speculations. (Photo: Tanauan City’s Hope/Facebook)

MANILA — Authorities are awaiting a final report on the killing of Mayor Antonio Halili during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the Tanauan City Hall in Batangas.

Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said that as of now, conclusions as to the motive behind the incident as well as the identity of the gunman are mere speculations.

Durana was replying to netizens who pointed out that only a rifleman with adequate training could have been skilled enough to shoot Halili from the bushes roughly 200 meters away from where the mayor was standing during the city hall grounds.

“As we’ve said, some are speculating,” Durana said.

The PNP spokesman, citing the story of drug cartels as portrayed in video streaming site Netflix, said crime organizations have resources to acquire highly-skilled henchmen.

“They are capable hiring highly skilled criminals. They have the money. At this time it is hard to speculate on something that was not yet established by a thorough investigation,” Durana explained.

Halili, who has figured in a controversy over his decision to publicly shame criminals and drug addicts in 2016, is in the government’s list of drug personalities.