PNP chief creates body to probe Batocabe assassination

Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief (File photo by JAM STA. ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been created to quickly resolve the killing of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police, said on Saturday.

READ: Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, police escort killed in Albay

“I have directed the creation of a Special Investigation Task Group to mobilize all available resources and to orchestrate all aspects of investigation to ensure that justice is served as soon as possible to both the victims and their families,” Albayalde said in a statement.

According to the PNP chief, the organization condemns the killing of Batocabe and his security escort.

“The Philippine National Police strongly condemns the fatal shooting of AKO Bicol Party List Representative Rodel Batocabe and his Security Escort, SPO1 Rolando Diaz while attending a gift giving for senior and PWD citizens this afternoon in Daraga, Albay,” Albayalde said.

“We express our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of Representative Batocabe and SPO1 Diaz even as we vowed to get into the bottom of this sad incident,” he added.

He also asked the public to coordinate with the authorities to help in the investigation of the incident.

“We appeal to the public to immediately report to the police any information that could lead us to the perpetrators and to help us quickly solve this case,” Albayalde said.

Batocabe — who was on his third and last term as Ako Bicol representative — was running for the mayoralty of Daraga.

/atm