7,000 rally in support of Tanauan mayor

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas — Mayor Antonio Halili’s infamous “Walk of Shame” for arrested criminal suspects yielded yesterday to a “Walk of Truth” that drew over 7,000 people wearing white shirts to symbolize their support for him and his iron-fisted anti-crime campaign in the city.

Dubbed Walk of Truth, the rally was the city’s response to a National Police Commission (Napolcom) resolution stripping the mayor of his power of supervision and control over the local police on the pretext that he is allegedly linked to the illegal drugs trade.

Halili, known to be an anti-crime advocate and drug buster, has denied the allegation.

City Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) Chairman Apolo Robles said they initiated the rally to support Halili and reject the allegations that he is in any way involved in illegal drug activities.

Rallyists, including the Association of Barangay Kagawad (ABAKA), walked from the New City Hall in Barangay Natatas to Poblacion Crossing for about an hour and called on President Duterte and PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa to instruct a reinvestigation and verification of the allegations made by the Napolcom against Halili.