De Lima seeks Senate probe into killings of local leaders

MANILA, Philippines — The rising number of local officials killed — 25 mayors and vice mayors — since 2016 has prompted a call for a Senate investigation of the alleged culture of lawlessness under the Duterte administration.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 683, detained opposition Sen. Leila de Lima urged her colleagues to launch an inquiry into the wave of attacks on city and municipal leaders across the country, the latest of which involved Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, who was shot dead by policemen under disputed circumstances on March 8.

“This bloody incident is not the first of its kind,” De Lima said, referring to Aquino’s killling.

She noted in her resolution that the tally of mayors and vice mayors killed since President Duterte came into power had reached 25.

“The events of the past few years have shown that the police under this administration have all but eliminated peaceful surrender of anyone that they unilaterally and unlawfully determined to be their enemies,” De Lima, a vocal critic of Mr. Duterte, said.

“Aquino is but the latest local official to fall victim to the spate of killings committed against local chief executives across the country,” she said.