Representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have claimed that slain Bukidnon lawyer Atty. Winston Intong was included in the drug watch list of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The 53-year old Intong was shot dead Thursday morning by two still unidentified gunmen near his house in Malaybalay City. He was declared dead on arrival roughly 7:25 AM in a hospital.

Intong was shot 5 times on his breast by the gunmen, who were aboard a motorcycle, along Abello Street in Barangay 6. A certain Romeo Balinguig, Jr., 19 years old, a sidewalk vegetable vendor, also sustained a bullet wound. Intong was reportedly buying vegetables from Balinguig.

PNP Regional Office 10 spokesperson Maj. Francisco Sabud, Malaybalay Police Chief Lt. Col. Jerry Tambis and Bukidnon PNP spokesperson Capt. Jiselle Longsakit all said that Intong was on Duterte’s drug watch list.

In 2011, Intong was arrested in his law office in Valencia City during a buy-bust operation. (READ: Atty. Winston Intong, 5 others nabbed for illegal drugs) According to reports, the case was dismissed due to technicalities.

Tambis said that investigators are still looking at the possible motives of the killing including personal grudges. He said that there was already a threat prior to the killing.

Intong is the 55th lawyer killed under the Duterte regime.

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