Rep. Rodel Batocabe (Photo from his Facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said they are looking into the likely involvement of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the murder of AKO Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe.
This, aside from the political or election angle being pursued by authorities since Batocabe, a last term congressman, was to run for mayor of Daraga in next year’s election.
Albayalde said PNP cannot, at this time, absolutely say that Batocabe’s killing was only related to politics or election because they have also received information about an alleged attempt of communist rebels to extort money from Batocabe.
“Hindi pa kasi meron tayong nakukuhang information na iba-iba. There is an information na parang ito ay hinihingan ng revolutionary tax, or extortion, ine-extortan ito ng mga NPAs doon sa lugar at hindi siya nagbigay,” Albayalde said.
“That’s one and also hindi natin tine-take for granted or isina-sawalang bahala ‘yung political side, ‘yong political motive nito,” he added.
Batocabe and his security escort were gunned down last Saturday at Barangay Burgos in Daraga, Albay. Gabriel Pabico Lalu, INQUIRER.net /kga