Whether or not assassinated Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili is involved in illegal drugs, it is “slandering the dead” for President Rodrigo Duterte to link without proof Halili’s murder to the drug trade.

Duterte again justified the use of force in a society where the proliferation of the culture of violence seems to be encouraged and inveigled by the administration.

The President’s proposal to arm barangay chairmen, which makes them veritable targets of criminals, fits the mold of this culture of violence.

Duterte is also inculcating violence in the youth with his proposal to arm ROTC cadets to beef up his unsuccessful campaign against drugs and criminality.

While a gun may be for “self-defense”, in most cases it is an assault weapon, an instrument of aggression and violence.

It is grossly pathetic, albeit consistent, that Duterte condones the virtual violent expansionism of China in the West Philippine Sea.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN