The country’s top armed civilian Philippine National Police has said it has formed a special national team to probe the recent killings of local elected officials.
At least six vice mayors and 11 mayors were slain since July 2016.
PNP chief Director Oscar Albayalde announced Monday the Camp Crame-headquartered national police would be headed by Investigation and Detective Management chief, Police Director Elmo Francis Sarona.
According to Albayalde, the group would closely monitor and coordinate investigations of different PNP units, offices, and special investigation task groups involved in probing the killing of local officials.
Albayalde said among the priority concerns of the group were the killings of the following officials:
1. Ronda, Cebu Mayor Mariano Blanco III, and Vice Mayor John Ungab;
2. Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili;
3. General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote;
4. Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan.
In Blanco’s case, Albayalde said the police would look into “other possibilities” behind his slay, “as suggested by strong leads and significant findings” apart from politics as a possible motive.
Like Blanco, local officials killed recently were shot by unidentified gunmen. At least six vice mayors and 11 mayors slain since July 2016.