House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez says he believes the assassins of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe are “dedicated members of a gun for hire group.”
Batocabe and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz, were shot dead on Dec. 22 as they were leaving a gift-giving event in Burgos village in Daraga, Albay.
READ: Bicol solon, aide killed in ambush
“In any criminal action, there is always an answer. It’s the motive. There must be a motive, a beneficiary in every crime,” Suarez said Wednesday.
He said he believed the killing was “politically motivated.”
Suarez made his statement even as two witnesses in Batocabe’s killing were in the hands of authorities and had given statements, police sources said Tuesday.
Justin Batocabe, son of the slain lawmaker, said Wednesday they were “very close” to solving his father’s murder.
“I have received a briefing from the authorities and the case is proceeding positively, and we are very close to solving the case of my father’s murder,” Justin told ANC.
READ: Batocabe murder: Rody gives hint on mastermind
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Earlier, Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said Batocabe, president of the 46-strong Party List Coalition, had been leading in a survey of the mayoralty race in Daraga, Albay.
“The fact that Batocabe was leading the survey, he could have been a political threat to the career of the mayor, that the mayor could not afford to lose the mayoralty race. That is why there is such a thing as motive. Who will benefit if Batocabe is eliminated,” Suarez said.
“This apart from the fact that his party-list group is very strong in Bicol.”
