Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The assassination of Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan in Batangas in broad daylight “shows how the rule of law has been abandoned,” opposition lawmaker Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said Monday.
Halili was shot and killed during the flag raising ceremony at city hall on Monday.
READ: Tanauan mayor dead after flag ceremony shooting | Tanauan mayor gunned down while singing national anthem – witnesses
Halili had as been indicted for his alleged involvement in drugs and condemned by the Commission on Human Rights for his “walk of shame” campaign for drug pushers in Tanauan.
His assassination, Villarin said, showed that “the cornerstone of Duterte’s anti-illegal drug policy is the tombstone of suspects and personalities killed without due process.”
“It’s now open season for killers and assassins to ply their trade with impunity,” Villarin added.
READ: Tanauan mayor likely killed by sniper – Calabarzon police
Meanwhile, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano tagged the incident as “another proof of the culture of violence perpetuating in our country right now.”
The opposition lawmaker also suspects that the slaying is related to the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs, as it took place after “President Duterte’s speech in Bohol wherein he egged vice mayors to replace their mayors through illegal means.”
“While an investigation is yet to be carried out, there is an impression that this case is related to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs,” Alejano said. “What is more troubling is that this heinous crime comes at the heels of President Duterte’s speech in Bohol wherein he egged vice mayors to replace their mayors through illegal means.”
But regardless of who committed the crime, Alejano said “what we are seeing are emboldened perpetrators who have no respect for the law.”
“Cases such as this heighten the sense of impunity already prevailing under the present situation of peace and order in our communities,” he said.
“Nasaan na ngayon ang pangakong pagsugpo ng kriminalidad sa loob lamang ng tatlo hanggang anim na buwan na iniyayabang ng administrasyon?” he added.“Instead of feeling safe, Filipinos are feeling more unsecured today.”
Earlier, Malacañang condemned the assassination, whom presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called “napakatibay na kasangga” (a strong ally) of President Rodrigo Duterte in the war on drugs.
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 denied having links to the illegal narcotics trade.
Malacañang has yet to respond to INQUIRER.net’s request for a comment on this. /atm