By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, yesterday referred to the recent assassinations of mayors in Luzon as “isolated.”

According to Ebreo, Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas and Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija cases are different.

He pointed out, Philippine National Police (PNP) investigations have shown Halili’s killing may be related to illegal drugs as he was included on the “narco-list,” whereas Bote was not.

Ebreo also said Negros Occidental mayors have nothing to worry and, based on the current directives issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, mayors are allowed two security personnel.

He explained, additional security can be provided to incumbent on the threat level.

Last Monday, Halili was shot dead by a sniper while attending a flag ceremony at Tanauan City Hall in Batangas. The following day, Bote was gunned down by riding-in-tandem suspects while exiting the National Irrigation Administration office in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The PNP has already formed a task force to investigate the incidents./DGB, WDJ