(Eagle News)–The Palace on Thursday, Jan. 3, hailed the “early and swift conclusion” of the investigation into the killing of Rep. Rodel Batocabe.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo lauded the efforts of the Philippine National Police, headed by Director General Oscar Albayalde, and the “close cooperation of the local community..” for this.
“This is a breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families,” he said.
He said that while Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, who was tagged as the mastermind of the killing, and the other six suspects “are afforded the Constitutional presumption of innocence and consequently will be accorded due process, the government shall nonetheless prosecute them for the heinous crime without delay.”
“We call on the citizens to be always on the alert and watchful on any activities and/or acts committed by persons which have the appearance of unlawfulness or irregularity amounting to a crime – and report the same to the proper authorities,” Panelo said.
Apart from Baldo, charged with double murder and six counts of frustrated murder were Rolando Arimado, Christopher Naval, Jaywin Babor, Danilo Muella, Emmanuel Roselio and Henry Yuson.
Albayalde has said Batocabe’s killing was politically motivated, noting that based on information from a witness and some of the suspects who surrendered, the assassination plot was hatched in August 2018, after Batocabe announced plans to run for Daraga mayor.
Albayalde has said he has ordered for the revocation of Baldo’s permits to carry guns and has recommended for the removal of the mayor’s deputation authority over the local police.