Palace sees politics behind slay of Calbayog City mayor

The Palace has condemned the killing of Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and several others in a shooting incident in the city.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Aquino’s assassination could be a case of election-related violence with the elections slated in a little over a year in 2022. 

“Gaya po ng kaso doon sa pagpatay sa Calbayog ‘no, kinukondena po natin iyan dahil ang karapatang mabuhay po ay ang pinakaimportanteng karapatan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“Nanunumbalik po kami at naaalarma na dahil isang mayor po ang pinatay. Baka ito’y simula na naman ‘no ng patayan dahil sa politika sa panahon na papalapit na ang eleksiyon,” he said.

"Itong political violence po has no place in a democracy. Kinukondena po natin iyan,” Roque added.

The death of Aquino and four others happened just a day after nine activists were killed in a police raid in Calabarzon region last Sunday, March 7.

The series of deaths, alongside the 7,000 who were killed in the drug war under legitimate police operations, have prompted Vice President Leni Robredo to call the Duterte administration a murderous regime.

Roque said Robredo should show proof before saying such statements or she risked being charged. -NB, GMA News