MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III would rather not issue his position on the punching incident, which ensued in a demolition of shanties in a village in Davao City Friday, saying the Palace would not want to preempt the investigation to be conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was captured in video punching Regional Trial Court Branch 16 sheriff Abe Andres after the latter rejected the mayor’s plea to wait for two hours before any of the demolition work starts.
In a radio interview Saturay, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said: “Hindi na rin muna kami magco-comment dahil alam naman natin na nag-initiate ang DILG ng investigation and eventually aakyat yan kay Pangulong Aquino so ayaw muna naming magcomment para wala munang pre-judgment at baka masabi may bias sa investigation.”
DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo earlier said that a legal team will be sent to Davao City to look into the incident despite the sheriff’s statement that he will not be pursuing any charges against Mayor Duterte. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)