Duterte camp claims PNoy allies to sue Davao City mayor for extrajudicial killings

Allies of President Benigno Aquino III are preparing to file charges against PDP-Laban presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte for his supposed role and involvement in extrajudicial killings as mayor of Davao City.

This was the claim of the Duterte camp on Friday.

"The charges reportedly stemmed from affidavits executed by a ranking police officer and supposed self-confessed gunmen," Duterte spokesperson Peter Laviña said in a statement.

"We view this development with serious cause for concern," he added.

Laviña tagged supposed legal action as a desperate move by administration candidates to derail the aspirations of Duterte to become the next Philippine President, especially now that momentum is on their side.
 
"This ploy to resurrect the worn out allegations against the Mayor is a vain and desperate attempt to stop that momentum," he said.

Laviña questioned the timing of the charges that will be filed and pointed out that the case could have been filed earlier when Duterte was not yet running in the May elections.
 
"We deplore these dirty tricks. We abhor these underhanded tactics. We will resist this vain plot to pin him down because of his strong stand against crime and corruption. We warn them of the repercussions of such diabolical plan. The people will not be swayed by these black propaganda and amateurish schemes," he said.

Duterte previously denied leading and conducting extrajudicial killings as Davao City Mayor, but emphasized his hard line against criminals, drug lords, and pushers. He also dispelled rumors linking him to the so-called Davao Death Squad.

Reached for the Palace reaction, Communications Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr. denied the allegation by Duterte's camp.

"Walang proyekto ang gobyerno na siraan si Mayor Duterte o sino mang kandidato," Coloma said in a text message to reporters. – Trisha Macas/VDS/RSJ, GMA News