President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered “a fair and thorough investigation” on the killing of the aide of election lawyer and former Rep. Glenn Chong, Malacañang said.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo bared the Palace “strongly denounces” the “brutal and brazen” death of Richard “Red” Santillan last December and reiterated the President’s commitment to getting justice for the victim and his family.

“The Palace strongly denounces the brutal and brazen incident which led to the death of Mr. Richard Santillan. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has ordered a fair and thorough investigation of the case until the killers, including the mastermind, are put behind bars,” Panelo expressed.

A report released by the Region 4A command tagged 18 policemen in the case, including two from the Rizal Provincial Highway Patrol Team, seven from Cainta Municipal Police Station and nine from the Regional Special Operations Unit of the Regional Intelligence Division of the CALABARZON Regional Police.

Chong also claimed the policemen tortured his aided prior to him being riddled with bullets. Panelo said the Palace will not intervene in the probe and that the President “does not condone erring men in uniform who grossly violate the law.

“Serious accusations have been made against some members of the CALABARZON Police. Let the chips fall as they may,” stressed the spokesman.

“Similar to the Batocabe murder case, he certainly has the same commitment of getting justice done for the family, relatives, friends and for all those Santillan left behind,” Panelo added.

Following the incident Senior Supt. Lou Evangelista and Supt. Pablito Naganag were immediately removed as Rizal Provincial Police Office and Cainta police chiefs, respectively by CALABARZON police director Chief Supt. Edward Carranza.