MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, October 2, condemned the killing of Mayor Alexander Buquing of Sudipen, La Union, the 11th local chief executive killed under the Duterte administration.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the government would seek justice for the La Union mayor who was killed in an ambush staged by unidentified assailants.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1767164/Manila/Local-News/Task-group-formed-to-probe-killing-of-La-Union-mayor
"Like all killings, we condemn it and we commit to conduct a fast investigation to uncover the individuals behind this latest attack," Roque said in a press conference.
Buquing was shot dead along Bangar-Castro Provincial Board in Cadali village in Bangar, La Union, on Monday night, October 1, while he was on his way home, along with his wife, Vice Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing.
The mayor, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the different parts of his body, was rushed to Ilocos Sur District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Durana was the 11th mayor slain since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016, the Philippine National Police said.
Some of the slain local chief executives were included in the government's narco-list. Buiquing's name, however, was not on the roster that identifies thousands of government officials allegedly involved in illicit drugs trade.
Roque merely attributed the latest killing of the local official to election season.
"Hindi ko po sinasabi na justified pero alam niyo kasi panahon na ng pulitika (I'm not saying that the killing is justified, but we all know that it is political season)," he said.
"So ang katotohanan niyan, ang tanging solusyon diyan is dapat maparusahan lahat ng pumapatay para maibalik ang takot sa puso at isipan ng mga pumapatay sa lipunan (So the truth here, the only solution is to hold the killers accountable to instill fears among those who kill in our country)," the Palace official added. (SunStar Philippines)