Palace condemns killing of MisOcc mayor

“We condemn any kind of extrajudicial killing. We cannot allow this situation occurring in our country,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing. (File Photo: Malacañang/Website)

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday condemned the killing of Mayor David Navarro of Clarin, Misamis Occidental saying that rule of law must be observed despite allegations he is linked to the illegal drug trade.

Navarro, who was among the 40 named on the President’s “narco list”, was shot dead by unknown gunmen while inside the van en route to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office last Friday.

“We condemn any kind of extrajudicial killing. We cannot allow this situation occurring in our country,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo lamented how Navarro was killed while being in police custody for an unrelated case of assault but vowed that authorities would bring to justice the perpetrators.

“He was being brought to inquest I think in connection with a case and he was ambushed. To my mind, that’s done with impunity and we will not let these transgressors of law go unpunished,” Panelo said.

When asked to confirm reports that Navarro met with President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila supposedly to convince the latter that he was not involved in the illegal drug trade, Panelo did not give a clear answer.

“What I read is that he talked with the President,” Panelo said.

Panelo said only the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) can confirm if Navarro is indeed off the narco list.

“I don’t know their basis; I really don’t know. We should ask the PNP and the PDEA,” he added.

In an earlier radio interview, Panelo raised the possibility that police personnel guarding Navarro may have committed security lapses.

He also said there could be a chance that Navarro’s killing could be related to the illegal drug trade.

Prior to his death, Navarro said all barangays in Clarin had been declared drug-free and that he had no record in the PDEA being involved in the illegal drug trade.