(Eagle News) — Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday, July 3, lashed out at President Rodrigo Duterte anew, saying it was he who “most certainly murdered with words” Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili.
“Yesterday, a mayor was shot in broad daylight during a morning flag ceremony. Before the body even turns cold, he proclaims in a speech that the mayor who was shot dead was a suspected drug lord and saw it coming,” De Lima said in a statement, referring to Duterte.
Earlier, Duterte said Halili was included in his list of officials who engage in the illegal drug trade.
Halili denied the allegations.
“This is how Duterte gives the killers their mandate to kill, and protects them from whatever semblance of the law still remains under his administration,” De Lima said.
On Monday, July 2, Duterte said Halili’s killing could be linked to his alleged involvement in the drug trade.
The police have said they were also looking at the possibility the mayor’s walk of shame campaign was also linked to his death.