PNP: Cases filed vs. suspects in 11 out of 18 slays of local execs

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has so far identified and filed cases against suspects in 11 out of 18 cases of killings of local executives.

In a statement, the PNP said that its National Investigation Task Group (NITG) has "solved" 11 cases, while two cases were "cleared" including the killings of Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan and General Tinio Mayor Ferdinand Bote.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde clarified that the slay cases involving Lubigan and Bote were considered "cleared" only because no suspects have been arrested, but added that cases have already been filed in court.

Five killing incidents of local mayors and vice mayors are still under investigation, the statement added, including the recent ambush of Sudipen, La Union Mayor Alexander Buquing.

Albayalde vowed to create a special investigation task group (SITG) for the case of Buquing.

He added that the PNP will intensify preparations and operations in anticipation of the 2019 elections.

He also directed all territorial units to go "hammer and tongs" against gun-for-hire syndicates and private armed groups who kill for a living.

“We see normal increasing trend of attacks against local officials and candidates in the light of the 2019 Mid-year Elections. With that, I have directed unit leaders to coordinate with their LCEs in threat assessment and countermeasures to ensure their safety and security,” Albayalde said. — MDM, GMA News