Albayalde: ‘Moonlighting’ NPA rebels might be involved in Batocabe slay

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The killing of Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe might have not been sanctioned by the New People’s Army, but some of its members may be involved, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Wednesday.

“Pwedeng hindi sanctioned nila ‘yon, pero ‘yong tao are the ones involved, the same people.  Nakuha niyo ‘yon?,” Albayalde said in a press briefing at Police Regional Office 5 headquarters, Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi, Albay.

“Pwedeng tao din nila, pero iba ang trabaho, ‘di ba, pwede po ‘yon eh,” he added.

As a reference, Albayalde likened some communist rebels to police officers who live a double life.

“Parang pulis, pulis siya ng umaga pero nagmu-moonlight pala siya ng gabi, nagse-security, pero hindi sanctioned ng PNP ‘yon. Parang gano’n, hindi sanctioned ng (NPA) pero it’s a personal thing, trabaho,” the PNP Chief said.

“Parang sideline niya. So ito ‘yong tinitignan natin na sinasabi natin na we are not discounting the possibilities dito, hindi tayo naka-tutok lang sa political motive,” he added.

Albayalde was reacting to statements of Batocabe’s widow, Gertie, who doubted the involvement of NPA rebels in the assassination of her husband last Saturday in Daraga, Albay, because they have not opposed the Maoist movement’s principles.

She also believed the NPA could not do it for they have nothing to gain from her husband’s death. She hinted politics could be the main reason for Batocabe’s killing.

“They just did it in a village in the mountains to make it look like, you know.  What will they (the NPA) get if they kill my husband?  We have not opposed their principles.  So the question is, Who will gain from his death? Simple,” she claimed.

READ: Widow of Batocabe rules out NPA role in solon’s slay  

Albayalde previously said they cannot immediately classify the killing of Batocabe as purely election-related as they have received reports that NPA members tried to extort money from the lawmaker.

Batocabe and his police aide were gunned down by six unidentified men in Barangay Burgos. Prior to the attack, the politician attended a charity event in the area.

He was on his last term as Ako Bicol congressman, and was to run for Daraga mayor in the 2019 election. /kga