Palace orders DILG to help catch Abalos adviser's killers

MANILA, Philippines -  A Palace official yesterday assured Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will do its best to arrest those who killed his political adviser Friday night.

“We will ask DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo to take a look at these things. The government will be on top of the situation. Secretary Robredo will take in charge of it and order an investigation,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

He added that Abalos can count on President Aquino’s help because the Chief Executive “is committed to the protection of human rights in the country.”

Abalos’ political adviser, Joselito Torres, was ambushed and shot twice in the head on the eve of his 47th birthday along Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City. He died at past midnight on Saturday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Armando Bolalin said they are enhancing the footage taken by a surveillance camera that caught Torres’ killers waiting for him in front of an Internet cafe. The footage did not show the actual shooting.