(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, Dec. 29, said he would not condone any form of “political terrorism” in the country.
President Duterte issued the statement with the 2019 elections nearing, and after a series of killings authorities have said were politically motivated.
The most recent killing was that of Rep. Rodel Batocabe, who was attacked as he was about to board his vehicle from a gift-giving activity in Daraga, Albay last weekend.
His security escort, SP01 Orlando Diaz, was also killed.
Batocabe had announced he would be running for mayor of Daraga, Albay.
In his speech in Kidapawan, Duterte also vowed the government would remain “neutral.”
“Kaya sabi ko talaga sa police pati sa Armed Forces, ‘wag kayong makialam sa eleksyon,” he said.
