Malacanang backs the decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reopen the investigation of high profile killings connected to anti-illegal drug campaign of the Administration under Former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 16, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that the move shows that the Administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 'places the highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on the universal observance of the rule of law in the country'.
On Tuesday, October 15, PBGen. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the PNP, said that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reviews the case of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili.
Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager and retired police colonel Royina Garma earlier said that a police officer had a hand in the assasination of Halili.
An unidentified gunman shot Halili, known for parading drug suspects in Tanauan City, in the middle of a flag-raising ceremony last July 2, 2018
Aside from the case of Halili, Fajardo said that the CIDG will also review other 'sensational cases' of murdered local officials during the height of the War on Drugs.
"Ang ginagawa ng CIDG ngayon ay ni-retrieve nila yung case records nitong cold cases including itong kaso ni Mayor Halili," Fajardo said on Tuesday, October 15, during a press briefing.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will also conduct a probe on the killing of high-profile individuals during the War on Drugs.
