Arroyo lauds PNP for solving Batocabe slay case ‘in such a short time’

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (File Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Camarines Sur, Philippines — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday hailed authorities for identifying the mastermind in the murder of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, saying there should be “no let up and stone left unturned until justice is served” for her colleague.

“I would like to commend the PNP (Philippine National Police) for solving the murder of our colleague, Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort (SPO2) Orlando Diaz. The House of Representatives deeply appreciates the dedication and hard work our police force have put in to go after the perpetrators of the despicable act in such a short time,” the Pampanga congresswoman said in a statement.

Now that the PNP has identified Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as mastermind in Batocabe’s slay, Arroyo said law enforcement agencies must ensure that he and his co-conspirators be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

READ: PNP: Daraga Mayor is Batocabe slay ‘mastermind’ | PNP chief orders cancellation of Daraga Mayor’s gun permits

Batocabe was supposed to run against Baldo in the mayoral race in Daraga in the upcoming May elections. But Batocabe and Diaz were gunned down after emerging from a gift-giving event for senior citizens at Barangay Burgos in Daraga, Albay last December 22.

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

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