War on drugs to blame for mayors’ death toll under Duterte? PNP says partly yes and no

The number of mayors killed in just two years of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration has almost reached the number of mayors slain in six years under his predecessor former President Benigno Aquino III, government data has shown.

There are now 11 mayors killed under Duterte compared to 12 under Aquino's entire stay in office.

But the Philippine National Police indicated that it would be difficult to compare the two administrations because the previous one didn't have a focused campaign against illegal drugs.

"Talaga pong nakakalungkot but we have to consider also na there are differences in terms of the factors, consequences during the time of Aquino and Duterte administration," PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said on Bawal Ang Pasaway with Mareng Winnie.

"During the time of Aquino administration, hindi po concentrated doon, walang focus sa war on drugs ang panahon ni PNoy," Durana added.

When asked if the recent slays of mayors were linked to President Rodrigo Duterte's war against illegal drugs, Durana said the killings were "partly" related to the campaign.

"Partly yes and no... in a sense,  kasi it's unfair to say that these killings of mayors and vice mayors are attributed to the war on drugs," Durana said.

Of the 11 mayors killed under Duterte, four were linked to illegal drug. They are Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom, Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., and Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili.

Halili, who was recently killed by an assassin's bullet during a flag ceremony at city hall, repeatedly denied any involvement in drugs.

He paraded suspected criminals, including drug personalities, to discourage crime but Duterte indicated the practice was just a ruse. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News