Arroyo pays respects to colleague Rep. Batocabe

Photo from the office of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to visit the wake of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe this Sunday.

An advisory to the media said Arroyo was set to pay her last respects to the late congressman at 10 a.m.

The remains of Batocabe will be available for viewing at Arcilla Hall, in front of Bicol College in Daraga, Albay starting 10 p.m. of Sunday.

Batocabe was killed by gunmen at a gift-giving activity for senior citizens and persons with disability on Saturday in Daraga, Albay.

Photo from the office of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

According to police reports, he was killed after four men peppered him with bullets as he was leaving the venue of the gift-giving.

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

Senators immediately condemned the killing of Batocabe, as they call for authorities to probe into the incident.

Senator Nancy Binay also called on the Commission on Elections to declare Albay as an “election hotspot” in order to secure the safety of the citizens.

Batocabe was running for mayor of Daraga town in the 2019 elections.

“Given the recent spate of violence in the province, with the killing of two mediamen allegedly due to politics earlier this year, I urge the Commission on Elections to declare Albay an election hotspot to guarantee the safety of every Albayanon,” Binay said. /je

READ: More senators condemn Ako Bicol congressman’s slay