Alarmed over the spate of killings of priests in the country, Malacañang on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte warned of a “radical change” to ensure law and order in the Philippines.
“That is why the President said that there would be major changes because he is alarmed with the rise in criminality,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview with state-run Radyo Pilipinas.
READ: Duterte warns of ‘radical’ action vs criminals in and out of gov’t
In his media briefing upon arrival from South Korea, Duterte talked of drastic changes in the coming days.
“I am warning you, criminals, all of you, in government and outside of it, I will make radical changes in the days to come,” he said.
On Tuesday, the President said hired killers have no value days after the murder of Fr. Richmond Nilo of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.
READ: Duterte says hired killers have no value
Nilo was the third priest killed in the country since December 2017.
On April 29, 37-year-old Fr. Mark Ventura was attacked and on December 2017, 72-year-old Fr. Marcelito Paez in Jaen, Nueva Ecija was ambushed.
Roque said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde is personally supervising the investigation into Nilo’s death.
“Ang pinaka-latest na balita nga pala dito sa pinatay na pangatlong pari, eh si PNP Chief Albayalde na po ang nagsu-supervise sa imbestigasyon. Ito po’y in-assure sa akin kahapon lamang ni Gen. Albayalde,” Roque said. /vvp
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