Police urged to tighten officials’ security

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag urged local authorities to be on guard in protecting local government and barangay officials against assailants on the heels of the killing of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili on Monday.

“I hope that the PNP, the Davao City Police Office will continue their program in protecting the city officials and barangay officials in Davao City,” he said.

Al-ag said the city has also its experience of shooting incidents where barangay officials were gunned down by unidentified assailants. The recent incident was when the outgoing chief of Barangay Talandang in Tugbok district chairman Reynaldo Dumagan, 52, and his companion were ambushed on June 7 after unidentified suspects suddenly blocked their way and aimed at the victims using an undetermined caliber of firearm.

Halili was declared dead about an hour after he sustained a gunshot wound on the chest during the flag ceremony in front of City Hall on Monday morning, July 2. He was shot dead by unidentified assailant at around 7:30 a.m. while he and other city officials and employees were singing the national anthem.

Al-ag likewise called on the public who have information on any plot of killing officials to report it to the authorities for immediate action to prevent further killings.

“I am urging the people of Davao to continue to be vigilant because we want to prevent this kind of situation in the city. If you have information that you think can prevent this kind of situation, please share it. Please call 911, call police, report it to your barangay officials if you have information about threat not only officials but also other citizens in Davao para mag focus ta sa prevention,” Al-ag added.