BACOLOD CITY— The Negros Occidental Association of Chiefs Executives (ACE) and League of Municipalities in the Philippines strongly condemned the killing of Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas and Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.
The mayors’ statement was issued at a joint meeting of both groups in Bacolod City on Thursday. The two groups demanded protection from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, who chaired the Negros ACE, said it is the responsibility of the police to solve the crimes, whether those slain government officials were involved in narco-politics or not.
Palanca also asked the police not to allow such incident to happen in Negros Occidental.
“It is the basic obligation for the PNP to protect its people, and mayors are part of the people,” Palanca said.
He also asked: If the PNP cannot protect the mayors, how can the ordinary people feel secure with the PNP?
The police assured them that the crime will not take place in Negros Occidental.
Pontevedra Mayor Jose Benito Alonso, president of the LMP-Negros Occidental, said the mayors may not be able to perform their job to the fullest, especially in anti-crime operations and the campaign against illegal drugs, due to security concerns.
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The Negros Occidental officials also called for swift justice for the two mayors.
“I just hope there will be a speedy resolution, it’s not good as far as the image of our country is concerned,” Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
“We should be concerned, it’s important that the investigations result in identifying the suspects,” Lacson said, stressing the need for justice to be served. /ee