Robredo slams ‘culture of violence’

 If it’s not a “culture of violence,” then what is it?

Vice President Leni Robredo made this remark on Tuesday when asked to comment on the recent spate of killings in the country.

Robredo noted that even in the past, there is already a “culture of impunity” in the country, proof of which is the number of people killed, especially in poor communities.

“Iyong pagpatay sa mga mayors, ito lang iyong mas celebrated—mas celebrated kasi mga kilala. Pero siguro iyong mensahe noon, wala na talagang pinipili,” said the Vice President.

(The recent killings mayors were celebrated cases, but maybe the message here is that no one is spared.)

Robredo cited the murders of Tanuan City Mayor Antonio Halili, Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio town in Nueva Ecija, and Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan of Trece Martires City.

Halili was shot dead during the flag ceremony at the Tanuan’s City Hall last July 2, while Bote and Lubigan were killed in separate ambushes last July 3 and 7, respectively.

READ: Cavite vice mayor, aide killed in ambush

“Ito, kung hindi ito culture of violence, hindi ko alam kung ano ang tawag nito,” Robredo said. “Pero nagiging ordinaryo na sa atin na naririnig every day may napapatay.”

(If this is not “culture of violence,” I don’t know what you’ll call this. We hear of murders every day, and it has become normal.)

The Vice President earlier called on the public to unite against these killings and urged authorities to immediately stop these crimes. /ee

READ: Robredo calls for unity vs heinous killings