Malacañang has called on the United States (US) government "to do what is incumbent" in connection with the killing of Filipino nurse Maria Ambrocio by a homeless man in New York City.
"We call upon the US government to do what is incumbent upon any state where there is a killing," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press briefing Monday, Oct. 11.
He was referring to the assault on the 58-year-old Ambrocio by the homeless man, who was said to be mentally disturbed. The nurse, who was placed on life support after the attack, died on Sunday (Philippine time) at the hospital.
"We appeal of course to the US administration to investigate and prosecute the killer of this Filipino nurse," said Roque, a lawyer.
"All victims of violations of the right to life are entitled to a speedy domestic remedy," he added.
President Duterte has been critical of the US for most of his term, mostly due to alleged historical injustices suffered by Filipinos during the country's American occupation over a century ago.
However, Washington's sheer generosity to the Philippines as of late, particularly with its continuing donations of the life-saving coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, have led Duterte to view Americans in a friendlier light.