(Eagle News) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Thursday, July 5, denied there was a “pattern” in the recent killings of two mayors.
In a statement, DILG officer in charge Eduardo Año noted that “each case has its own facts.”
He was referring to the killings of Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili on Monday, July 2, and General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote.
Halili was shot as he was presiding over the city’s flag-raising ceremony, while Bote was shot just as he left the National Irrigation Administration in Cabanatuan.
Both died as they were rushed to the hospital.
“They are not at all related. In fact, only a small portion are definitely drug related,” Año said.
According to Año, “the rest are personal, political, and other reasons.”
Safety
According to Año, there was also “no cause for concern” for mayors, as the Philippine National Police was ready to provide security should they need it.
He said all they needed to do was file a request with the PNP, which will decide on a “case-to-case basis.”
He said the police will “validate if there is indeed an existing threat on the mayors and if such threats are serious.”
“Makipag-ugnayan lang po kayo sa kanila,” Año said.