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Late Ako Bicol Party list Congressman Rodel Batocabe | Imgae courtesy of Daraga MPS
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking at two possible motives behind the assassination of Ako Bicol Party list Congressman Rodel Batocabe on Saturday (December 22).
In line with the incident, the PNP has created a special investigation task group (SITG) to focus on the investigation led by Police Regional Office 5 PCSupt. Arnel Escobal.
PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has ordered the immediate resolution of Batocabe’s slay case and has directed the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to lead the investigation.
According to Albayalde, they are looking at the possible links of politics and communist activity in the lawmaker’s murder.
Batocabe filed his mayoralty bid for the town of Daraga in the upcoming 2019 elections.
According to the PNP, the lawmaker was vocal with his concern that political rivals were using armed groups to influence the voters.
The PNP, however, is not discounting the possibility that Batocabe’s murder may be connected to the communist rebels’ extortion activities in the area.
“Ito ay hinihingan ng revolutionary tax o extortion ng NPA sa lugar at hindi siya nagbigay. That’s one and also di natin i-take for granted ang political motive nito,” Albayalde explained.
Authorities are also verifying if the discovery of two bodies in the neighboring barangay in the wake of Batocabe’s murder is related to the lawmaker’s death.
“That is also being investigated now kung talagang ito ay linked doon. Sinasabi nila na o speculations na baka sila yung assailant noon at baka itinumba na rin sila. These are all speculations and part of the investigation,” the PNP Chief said.
General Albayalde also confirmed that the Daraga Chief of Police, the provincial director of the province of Albay and the region director of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) in the province were all relieved following the incident. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
The post Police eye NPA, politics behind Rep. Batocabe’s murder appeared first on UNTV News.
