Duterte to visit wake of Batocabe

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will be visiting the wake of AKO Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe in Daraga, Albay on Wednesday.

A source privy to the President’s schedule said the President would be paying his last respects to the slain lawmaker at 5 p.m.

In a text message, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed Duterte’s visit to Batocabe’s wake.

Batocabe, 52, an ally of the administration, was at a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities around 3 p.m. in Barangay Burgos in Daraga, Albay when he and his police escort were gunned down by still unknown assailants last Dec. 22

Malacañang has condemned the “senseless killing” of Batocabe and vowed vow “to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of this felonious act to justice.”

READ: Palace denounces ‘senseless killing’ of Ako Bicol congressman

The widow of Batocabe, Gertie Duran-Batocabe, on Tuesday dismissed speculation that the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was behind the killing of her husband.

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

“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,” the widow said.

In a speech on December 10, Duterte warned politicians of harassment and terror ahead of the May 2019 midterm elections.

READ: Duterte to 2019 bets: Do not terrorize, harass voters

He also earlier vowed a clean and orderly elections.

READ: Duterte vows clean elections in 2019, warns pols on guns

“I commit to the Filipino people that this will be a clean election,” he earlier said. /je