Rights groups, lawmakers denounce killing of Mayor Halili
MANILA, Philippines — Despite his controversial method of dealing with illegal drugs and crimes in Tanauan City, Batangas, Mayor Antonio Halili did not deserve to be deprived of due process.
The Human Rights Watch and the Commission on Human Rights stressed this point following the gun attack during a flag-raising ceremony that led to the death of Halili Monday morning.
HRW researcher Carlos Conde said the killing of the local executive demands immediate and thorough investigation by authorities like the thousands of killings in the government’s anti-narcotics campaign.
“While we did not agree with Mayor Halili’s method of dealing with crime and illegal drugs in his city, his murder is condemnable. He may have deprived many Tanauan residents of due process but that doesn’t mean he should be deprived of it too,” Conde said.
He added that the killers of Halili must be investigated, arrested, charged and tried in a court of law.
“While Mayor Halili was the subject of several investigations by the commission, no person or official, even an alleged perpetrator must be deprived of their right to life arbitrarily and due process,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia also said.
Halili was known for parading alleged drug personalities around the city while bearing a sign or wearing shirts saying they are drug pushers.
He, however, was stripped off of control over the police last year over his alleged links to drug traders.
Case of EJK?
For Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the death of Halili was a “clear” case of extrajudicial killing.
“Maliwanag na ito ay isa pang kaso ng EJK o patayan na bunga ng tinatawag na drug war na inilunsad ng gobyerno,” he said.
Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV and Sen. JV Ejercito also said they are alarmed by the recent spate of killings involving local executives and priests, among others.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier stressed that the Philippine National Police must consider toughening gun control measures as the recent killings in broad daylight “may be suggestive of the impunity and brazenness of those responsible for such acts.”
READ: Lacson urges tightening of gun control measures after killing of Tanauan mayor
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