(C) President Rodrigo Duterte and (L) Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go. | Courtesy: Bong Go
ALBAY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered to place the municipality of Daraga under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the murder of Ako Bicol Party list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President recommended to Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas to place Daraga under COMELEC control and ‘reiterated the Alunan doctrine that no candidate should move around with bodyguards with long firearms, unless a permit is granted by the COMELEC.’
The Chief Executive visited Batocabe’s wake in Legaspi City on Wednesday (December 26) where he also assured the family of SPO1 Orlando Diaz, Batocabe’s slain police escort, “that his family would receive benefits from the government.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently reported that they have recorded a total of 23 election-related killings since they began tallying in October this year.
PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said these cases involved barangay chairmen, vice mayor and mayor.
The PNP, however, cannot yet include the murder of Rep. Batocabe as the Police is still uncertain if the case is politically motivated. – Marje Pelayo
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