PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, July 9, that he has ordered all units to intensify operations against guns-for-hire and private armed groups following the series of killings of local government officials.

Albayalde said there are at least 78 private armed groups in the country, most of which are in Mindanao.

He said the crackdown aims to disarm and arrest hired killers and members of private armed groups.

Albayalde issued the order following the killing of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, General Tinio Mayor Ferdinand Bote and Trece Martires Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan.

Halili was killed by a single gunshot to the heart while singing the national anthem at the city hall on July 2.

The following day, on July 3, Bote was gunned down by at least three unidentified men in front of the National Irrigation Administration office in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

On Saturday, July 7, Lubigan and his driver were killed in an ambush in Cavite.

Since when President Rodrigo Duterte took office in July 2016, 11 mayors and five vice mayors have been killed including those involved in the government’s narco-list.

Albayalde described the killings as “concerning.”

“We are just concerned, probably ‘yung disturbed hindi naman ‘yung parang nababahala na kami. We are concerned. Ibig sabihin hindi naman namin pwede ipagpasawalang bahala ito. Even sabihin na mangilan-ngilan lang ito, sabihin na naman na the word isolated. Even if they are isolated, hindi naman nangyayari ito ng pang araw-araw,” he said.

“But then again these have caught our attention. We have to be concerned of these killings already na hindi natin pwede pabayaan na ganito lang na nangyayari ito sa ating mga elected officials and that's why hindi naman natin pinapabayaan,” he added.

Albayalde said based on investigation, the killings of Halili, Bote and Lubigan were not in any way connected to each other.

He said it was just “coincidental” that it all happened in a span of one week but investigation showed that there were different motives.

“Wala tayong nakitang pattern dito. These incidents may be coincidental. Iba iba ang nakita nating motive dito,” said Albayalde.

He assured that the police are on their toes in trying to solve these cases.

In Bote’s case, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is pursuing a “good lead” which may result in the filing of charges against those allegedly involved. (SunStar Philippines)