SC Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — “Shocked” and “outraged by the killing of Ako Bicol partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe, Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta urged law enforcement to immediately apprehend the lawmaker’s killers.
Peralta, who is also the Chair of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, said that Batocabe is a “big loss” to the tribunal.
“Cong. Batocabe is a big loss to the Electoral Tribunal. We are outraged at his senseless killing. I am shocked and deeply saddened by this treacherous attack. His views are quite insightful. It is always very interesting to debate with him,” Peralta said in a statement.
The House Electoral Tribunal is composed of three senior Supreme Court Justices and six House of Representatives Members.
“Those responsible should be apprehended at the soonest possible time to show to the public that crime never pays and to deter those thinking of sowing violence from proceeding with their sinister plans, especially during this time when elections are fast approaching,” Peralta added.
Batocabe was killed by gunmen after attending a gift-giving activity for senior citizens and persons with disability on Saturday in Daraga, Albay.
READ: Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, police escort killed in Albay
Batocabe’s remains lie at Arcilla Hall, in front of Bicol College in Daraga.