Palace condemns Cavite vice mayor’s slay, wants ‘fair, thorough’ probe

Malacañang on Saturday "strongly condemned" the killing of Trece Martires, Cavite Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan, the fourth local official to be attacked in six days.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. also asked authorities to fairly and thoroughly investigate the killing on the vice mayor, which happened on Trece Martires-Indang Road in Barangay Luciano at about 2:59 p.m. of Saturday.

"We ask the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a fair and thorough investigation and spare no effort in getting to the bottom of this latest crime," he said.

"We must band together and put an end to the worrisome incidents of violence involving local politicians," Roque said, as he extended the Palace's condolences to the local official's family and friends.

An initial police investigation showed that Lubigan was on his way home on board a black Toyota Hilux (YV4077) when attackers on a black Mitsubishi Montero fired at his car.

Lubigan's driver and aide, who were earlier reported wounded in the attack, passed away while being treated.

Lubigan's death came on the heels of three other attacks of local officials this week: Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili on Monday and General Tinio, Nueva Ecija mayor Ferdinand Bote on Tuesday, who both died; and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Assemblyman Sidik Amiril, also on Monday, who survived. — MDM, GMA News