Ejercito: Justice for Batocabe may ‘end recent political killings’
MANILA, Philippines — Bringing the killers of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe to justice may put an end to “recent political killings,” Senator JV Ejercito said on Thursday.
“If [the] Batocabe assasination case is handled well by the PNP [Philippine National Police,] and the real mastermind who allegedly is the Mayor of Daraga, is brought to justice, this may put an end to the recent political killings, most of which remain unresolved,” Ejercito said on Twitter.
If Batocabe assasination case is handled well by the PNP, and the real mastermind who allegedly is the Mayor of Daraga, is brought to justice, this may put an end to the recent political killings, most of which remain unresolved.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) January 3, 2019
This came after the PNP tagged Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind behind the murder of Batocabe and identified seven other persons of interest, who are employed as “confidential staff” at the Office of the Municipal Mayor of Daraga.
READ: PNP: Daraga mayor is Batocabe slay ‘mastermind’
Further, PNP also filed murder raps against Baldo and six others in Albay.
READ: Murder raps filed vs Daraga mayor over Batocabe slay
Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon congratulated the PNP for their “swift resolution” in identifying the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Batocabe.
“I wish to congratulate the Philippine National Police in its swift and effective identification of the mastermind and suspects involved in the assassination of Ako Bicol Partylist Congressman Rodel Batocabe including the prompt filing of charges before the provincial prosecutor of Albay,” Gordon, chairman of Senate committee on justice and human rights, said in a statement.
The senator also wished that the public can always trust the PNP and said he is hoping for “swift justice” in 2019.
“Let us all wish that the community can always aid and trust the PNP as they did in this case. Let us continue towards swift justice all throughout 2019 and onwards!” he said.
Batocabe was shot by gunmen at a gift-giving event in Barangay Burgos, Daraga. He died while being rushed to a private hospital in Legaspi City. /ee
READ: Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, police escort killed in Albay
