DUTERTE LINKS HALILI KILLING TO NARCOTICS

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. says government will seek justice in mayor’s killing

While his spokesperson vowed that justice will be served for slain Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, President Rodrigo Duterte trivialized the mayor’s death and said it might be linked to the narcotics trade.

Halili, who was known for his “walk of shame” program that required drug suspects to walk along the city streets with placards stating their offenses, was also in the President’s list of narco-politicians.

“Halili in Batangas was killed earlier. It’s just drama. He made a show of parading the drug addicts. But it was him. He was killed,” Duterte said in a speech in Maasin City, Leyte late Monday, July 2.

“I just heard the news that Halili was killed. I suspect it is related to drugs. I just suspect,” he added.

Halili was shot while singing the national anthem during the flag ceremony in front of the Tanauan city hall at about 7:30 a.m. Monday. He was declared dead at 8:45 a.m. from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Halili lost supervision and control over the police in 2017 because of his supposed involvement in illegal drugs. The slain mayor had denied the allegation.

Earlier Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Malacañang condemned the killing of Halili.

Roque also assured that the government would seek justice for Halili’s death.

“We will do all our best to solve the latest killing (of Halili). We will give justice to Mayor Halili’s family and to the residents of Tanauan City in Batangas province,” the Palace official said.

AP FOTO VIEW TO A KILL. The parking lot of the town hall where Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili was killed is seen from a position believed to be used by the sniper just outside the municipal hall. So far, the police have not found any evidence that will...