Connect with us

News

Palace defends Duterte remarks on Batangas mayor slay

Published

on

Malacanang on Tuesday defended the remarks made by President Rodrigo Duterte hours after controversial Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was assassinated while attending a flag raising ceremony last Monday. (PNA photo)

Malacanang on Tuesday defended the remarks made by President Rodrigo Duterte hours after controversial Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was assassinated while attending a flag raising ceremony last Monday. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Malacanang on Tuesday defended the remarks made by President Rodrigo Duterte hours after controversial Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was assassinated while attending a flag raising ceremony last Monday.

“I will quote from the translation of what the President said, ‘suspicion’. So, it’s a suspicion,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during a Palace press briefing.

During the 58th Founding Anniversary of Southern Leyte in Maasin City, Duterte said Halili’s killing could be related to illegal drugs.

“I heard today (Monday) that Halili has died. But we’re suspecting that it’s drug-related. It’s just a suspicion,” the President said in his speech before a mammoth crowd.

Duterte said Halili was “putting up a show” when the Tanauan mayor paraded drug offenders and common crime suspects as a measure to rid the city of unlawful activities.

“It was all for show, as he made those drug addicts walk in a procession and get flogged. It wasn’t really…it’s him. It’s really him,” the President said.

Despite his controversial ‘walk of shame’ campaign, Halili has been included in the government’s so-called “narco-list,” prompting the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to strip him of police powers.

Roque said government authorities and law enforcers are committed to leave no stone unturned in finding the truth behind the murder of Halili.

“The promise of the government is there will be substantial and depth investigation so that we will know who was really behind the killing of Mayor Halili,” Roque said.

Asked if the President will visit the wake of slain mayor, Roque said: “I don’t know. It’s not included in his schedules and we have not talked about it”.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Roque advised the public to better wait for the final results of the investigation before making any conclusion.

“With Mayor Halili, you really get mixed messages because he had a walk of shame which was the subject of consternation as far as human groups are concerned; but at the same time he was in the narco-list maintained by the government,” Roque said.

Roque described as ‘premature’ Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s statement that Halili’s death was a clear example of extra judicial killing.

“Premature. We don’t know what is the reason behind the killing. He is speculating as well. So his speculation is as good as anybody’s speculation,” Roque said.

He assured the Palace “cannot sanction this type of killing”.

online pharmacy buy celexa with best prices today in the USA

“This happened in broad daylight, obviously utilizing a very skilled sharp shooter and it’s always the obligation to take steps to investigate, punish the perpetrators because we need to instill fear anew in the hearts of the killers,” Roque said.

online pharmacy buy antabuse with best prices today in the USA

“So, I think the position of the Palace to investigate this can stand hand in hand with the suspicion of the President,” he added. 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle4 hours ago

Celebrating My Womanhood

The month of March is all about celebrating women and what better way to celebrate it than by enjoying and...

Lifestyle3 weeks ago

Maria’s Funny Valentine With An Ex!

Maria in Vancouver can’t help but wonder: when will she ever flip her negative thoughts to positive thoughts when it...

Lifestyle4 weeks ago

The Tea on Vancouver’s Dating Scene

Before Maria in Vancouver met The Last One seven years ago and even long before she eventually married him (three...

Lifestyle2 months ago

How I Got My Groove Back

Life is not life if it’s just plain sailing! Real life is all about the ups and downs and most...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Upgrade Your Life in 2025

It’s a brand new year and a wonderful opportunity to become a brand new you! The word upgrade can mean...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Fantabulous Christmas Party Ideas

It’s that special and merry time of the year when you get to have a wonderful excuse to celebrate amongst...

Lifestyle3 months ago

How To Do Christmas & Hanukkah This Year

Christmas 2024 is literally just around the corner! Here in Vancouver, we just finished celebrating Taylor Swift’s last leg of...

Lifestyle4 months ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle4 months ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...

Lifestyle6 months ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...