Duterte links Halili slay to mayor’s alleged role in drug trade

President Rodrigo Duterte has linked the killing of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili to his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

In a speech in Maasin City on Monday, Duterte lumped Halili with other local officials who died in the course of the government's crackdown on illegal drugs—former Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and former Albuera, Leyte mayor Ronaldo Espinosa. 

The government had accused Parojinog and Espinosa of using their positions to protect drug operations.

"Hindi ko alam sino pumatay. Pero binalaan ko na kayo [mayors] na huwag kayo [pumasok sa droga]. Huwag talaga," Duterte said in his native Cebuano.

“Nabalitaan ko, ngayon lang, na si Halili ay namatay na. Pero ang suspetsa namin [dahil] sa droga,” he added.

"Basta kapag ginagamit mo ang iyong poder para sa droga: Parojinog, Espinosa, kanina si Halili [ng] Batangas."

Halili was shot dead during the flag raising ceremony in his city with raw reports pointing to a sniper as a possible culprit in the shooting.

Duterte's spokesperson, Harry Roque, condemned the killing and said it was too early to make a conclusion on Halili's death as the police investigation is still ongoing.

The mayor became controversial for parading alleged drug suspects in infamous "walks of shame" which prompted an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights.

He recently rebranded the "walk of shame" to "walk of change" to encourage rehabilitated drug dependents.

Duterte, however, did not buy Halili's campaign to shame erring constituents.

"Kunwari lang 'yan. Kunwari lang na pinapaprusisyon at hinahampas niya 'yung mga adik," the President said.

In spite of his harsh stance on drugs, Halili was among the local officials stripped of police power for alleged links to illegal drugs.

Halili had denied the allegation. —NB, GMA News