Consecutive killings of two mayors an attempt to discredit Duterte — Palace

The consecutive killings of two mayors was an attempt to discredit President Rodrigo Duterte and his anti-crime efforts, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

“We continue to adhere to the rule of law and consider the recent killings of high-profile figures as an attempt to erode confidence in the President, whose main platform of governance rests on fighting crimes,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Roque issued the remark after Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin blamed Duterte for allegedly causing the lack of rule of law in the country, which led to the death of two mayors.

Tanauan City, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili was shot dead during a flag raising ceremony on Monday while General Tinio Nueva Ecija mayor was ambushed a day after.

“There is no culture of impunity in the Philippines as we do not condone any state-sponsored killing,” Roque said.

He reiterated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was “sparing no effort to find and capture the killers of the two slain mayors.”

Despite the killings, the palace official said the government “cannot be deterred in our focus in securing and restoring order in the community.”

“Our people have acknowledged the President as the protector of people, as evidenced by surveys giving him high satisfaction, approval, trust and performance rating,” he said. — With a report from Carol Balita/INQUIRER.net Intern

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