Killing of LGU execs linked to destab plot?; Halili buried
of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the spate of killings of local executives to determine if they are related to the reported destabilization plot against the government.
Meanwhile, justice remained elu- sive for the family of slain Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili up to the moment of his burial yesterday afternoon that was attended by thousands.
Guevarra, citing the killing of Halili, and then Gen. Tinio,
Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote and last Saturday’s ambush-slaying of Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan, ordered the NBI to investigate whether there was a pattern in the killings all in one week.
“I have instructed NBI Director Dante Guerran to determine if there is a pattern in these three cases or if they were unrelated,” Guevarra told journalists covering the DOJ.
“We need immediate results, and the NBI should look into the possibility of a bigger scheme in these killings – to destabilize the government,” he stressed.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque had said that the successive murders of Halili and Bote could be perpetrated by certain groups to “erode confidence in the President.”
“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,” Roque said.
Also the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed that communist rebels have plans to oust President Duterte based on documents recovered by soldiers and confirmed by testimonies of communist rebels who have surrendered.
But Guevarra said “the NBI should look into all possible angles because we have to leave no stones unturned.”
Director General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said Sunday that he was “disturbed and saddened” by the series of killings of local chief executives.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the families of Vice Mayor Alexander Cruz Lubigan and Romulo Guillemer of Trece Martires City,” Albayalde said in a statement. “We are disturbed and saddened by this and similar incidents involving our local chief executives,” he added.
“We, in the PNP, are committed in getting to the bottom of this and have already tasked our Special Investigation Task Groups (SITGs) on the grounds to conduct a thorough investigation,” he stated.
‘Walk for Justice’ Halili’s family, friends and political supporters – most of them wearing yellow shirts – paid their last respects to the mayor at the St. John The Evangelist Parish Church.
After the mass that was officiated by Rev. Fr. Totit Mandanas, Halili’s remains were taken to the new city hall for necrological service and for the last public viewing.
A “Walk for Justice” solidarity march was held by residents starting at Plaza Mabini, with Halili’s supporters carrying placards that read “Justice for Mayor Halili.” They occupied A. Mabini Avenue from the church and walked going to the city hall in Barangay Natatas, three kilometers away.
Halili was later laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Gardens in Barangay Santor, around 200 meters from the city hall.
Halili’ supporter, Joey Balba, president of Barangay Secretaries League said they wore yellow not because of any political party but it was the favorite color of the mayor.
“This is anon-political color, yellow was the favorite color of our mayor” Balba said.
Blank wall
Police have yet to identify the gunman behind the grim incident although three persons of interest were already being investigated, two of them are linked to illegal drugs.
“We cannot divulge right now [identity of persons of interest] because we are still on the process of getting evidences,” said Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza, regional director of Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A).
“When we say person of interest, it is where the focus of our investigation lies so it will be very premature if we release information about them,” he added.
The camp of Halili has yet to release a statement on the absence of President Duterte in the funeral, whom they repeatedly invited for a discussion.
Previously, the family of Halili claimed that the government had a hand in their patriarch’s death, an allegation which the Malacanang denied.