MANILA, Philippines — Members of the so-called Magnificent 7 in the House of Representatives have offered P50,000 each for the immediate capture of the killers of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz.
“The opposition legislators composing the Magnificent 7 are committed to give P50,000.00 each for the immediate capture of the assassins of AKO Bikol Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz,” Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said in a statement on Monday.
Magnificent 7, which includes Lagman, will also donate the same amount divided equally to families of Batocabe and Diaz. They will also help establish a foundation, on the part of Batocabe family, “to strongly and effectively campaign for the elimination of the culture of violence and impunity.”
“It is hoped that the counterpart amount for the bereaved families, who suffered irreparable loss and inordinate grief, will be augmented by similar contributions from other Representatives,” Lagman added.
Congressmen and local officials have already raised over P30 million for information on the killers of Batocabe and Diaz.
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has said at least 150 congressmen have pledged to contribute to the bounty.
Batocabe and Diaz were shot several times on Saturday, Dec. 22. Both were rushed to the hospital and were later declared dead.
Batocabe, a member of the House majority, was on his third term as Ako Bicol representative. /je
READ: P30-M bounty offered for solon’s killers