Palace on killings: Attempt to erode confidence in Pres

FILE: Roque was reacting to Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Malacañang found the recent slays of mayors as attempts to undermine the public’s confidence on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“We continue to adhere to the rule of law and consider the recent killings of high-profile figures as an attempt to erode confidence in the President, whose main platform of governance rests on fighting crimes,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday, July 4.

“There is no culture of impunity in the Philippines as we do not condone any state-sponsored killing,” he added.

The spokesperson then mentioned that the administration’s focus on security and restoration of order in the community cannot be deterred.

He also said that the people’s acknowledgement and trust on Duterte as “the protector of people” is evident with the surveys revealing the Filipino’s high satisfaction, approval, trust, and performance ratings.

Roque was reacting to Akbayan party-list Representative Tomasito “Tom” Villarin, who said that the President’s consistent verbal attacks against various institutions upholding the rule of law, led to a “vicious cycle of violence that destroys society.”

According to Villarin, this was also born out of “a weakened state and a population desperate for security thereby pushing everyone to bad decisions.”

“The free license was given by President Duterte himself by making it clear that no one will face legal repercussions for the extrajudicial killings that are done in pursuit of his anti-illegal drug policy and tagged in the so-called Duterte’s reversed ‘Schindler’s list’ where those in it are not for saving,” he said.

“Duterte is exploiting the public’s insecurity and fear, and demonstrated by his willingness to go any length to get results,” he added.

Villarin’s statement came after the consecutive slays of mayors from Luzon this week.

On Monday morning, Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was reportedly shot dead with a sniper during a flag-raising ceremony in front of the town’s hall.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday afternoon, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote was killed in a shooting incident.