Zubiri to PNP: Stand your ground against Castillejos' ambush perpetrators and mastermind

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri denounced the perpetrators and mastermind of the ambush of Batanes Governor Telesforo Castillejos and his driver Albert Fatimo as they were driving through the West Service Road past the Kalayaan tollgate.

Zubiri said, "The traitorous ambush of Gov. Castillejos reveals how vulnerable politicians are to enemies who choose to kill rather than settle differences face to face, man to man."

Zubiri urged Police Director Geary Barias "to investigate thoroughly and stand his ground against persons who would pressure him to do otherwise."

"While politicians indeed have to be security-conscious, it is not uncommon that some of us would be lax with our security arrangements knowing that we have not done serious wrong against our constituents."

"I certainly hope that Governor Castillejos' ambush won't signal the coming of the wild , wild West in our country. The violence of this ambush coming at the heels of the conflict in Mindanao paints our country with lawlessness."

Zubiri added, he will support efforts to beef up the PNP. "The intelligence capability of the Philippine National Police should also be assessed and at the soonest strengthened through more resources as we tackle the National Government budget in the coming months."