Palace condemns killing of Tanauan mayor, vows justice for kin

Malacañang condemned on Monday the killing of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, who was shot and killed during the city’s flag raising ceremony.

“Kinokondena po natin itong pagpatay kay Mayor Halili ng Tanaun, Batangas,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters in a phonepatch interview.

“[Siya] po ay isang napakatibay na kasangga ng Presidente sa giyera laban sa droga. Siya po ay napakahusay na alkalde sa kanyang pamumuno sa napakaunlad na bayan ng Tanaun Batangas,” Roque added.

READ:  Tanauan mayor dead after flag ceremony shooting

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson of the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (Calabarzon) police, said Halili was shot at around 8 a.m. and died while being rushed to the CP Reyes Medical Center.

“Nangangako po tayo sa pamilya na bibigyan natin sila ng katarungan, lilitisin at paparusahan ang mga taong nasa likod ng pagpatay kay Mayor Halili,” Roque said.

Halili, known for his shame campaign for parading drug suspects and criminals around his city, was earlier included in the list of “narco-politicians” but the mayor has denied links to the drug trade.

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Roque refused to comment on this issue for for now.

“Sa ngayon po siguro makikiramay muna kami sa pamilya ng napaslang na Mayor Halili,” he said.

“Tsaka na po natin pag-usapan ‘yan. May mga panahon po na dapat pag-usapan ‘yan. Ngayon po ay panahon ng pagdadalamhati at pagbibigay ng pakikiramay,” he added.  /kga