PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ JAM STA. ROSA
The public has nothing to be alarmed of despite the spate of killings of local executives in the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde assured on Tuesday.
“Wala naman pong dapat ipangamba at wala din po tayong dapat ika-alarma doon sa nangyaring sunud-sunod na patayan ng mga elective officials natin,” Albayalde said in an interview over DZMM.
(There is nothing to worry and be alarmed about the consecutive killings of our elective officials.)
The police chief gave the assurance after the killings of three local officials last week – Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan of Trece Martires, Cavite, who was shot dead in broad daylight last Saturday; Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; and Tananuan City Mayor Antonio Halili, who were also killed on July 2 and 3, respectively.
Abayalde also brushed aside critics’ claim that these killings could lead to the declaration of nationwide martial law by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We want to ensure the public na hindi ‘yan prelude to martial law. Walang kinalaman ‘yan sa kung ano mang destabilisasyon na sinasabi ng ibang sektor,” he said.
(We want to ensure the public that the killings are not prelude to Martial Law or it doesn’t have any relation with the alleged destabilization according to other sectors.) /cbb
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