Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte’s allegations against former Interior secretary Mar Roxas should not be taken seriously.
Panelo was referring to Duterte’s speech in Davao City on Tuesday in which he alleged that former Interior secretary Mar Roxas was behind the failed attempt on the life of Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot. Loot is a retired police general and among politicians tagged by Duterte as one of the alleged “narco-generals” or police officials involved in the narcotics trade. Duterte had also linked Loot, retired general Marcelo Garbo, and other generals to Roxas. Loot survived an ambush back in May this year, but his 2 drivers, helper, and a wharf porter were injured.
Roxas’ ally, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, said the former Interior secretary has decided not to make a big deal out of the President’s statement. Roxas will run for the Senate in 2019.
