Police investigating the murder of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz, have released artists’ sketches of two suspects in the day-time attack that also left nine people wounded.
The sketches were derived from the description of witnesses at the Daraga, Albay attack.
Police described one of the suspects as having a pointed jaw and dark complexion, about 40 years old and about 5’6” in height.
The special investigation task group said the first suspect was a driver of a single motorcycle wearing a black round-neck T-shirt and padded six-pocket denim shorts and black slippers.
The second suspect, the task group said, is rounded-faced in his 30s, of medium build with fair complexion. He was wearing a brown jacket and faded six-pocket denim shorts and slippers.
On Wednesday, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said task group has established some leads based on the physical evidence and information provided by witnesses.
He said they are beginning to ascertain the motives behind the killing and the people who might be behind it, but would say no more so as not to jeopardize the investigation.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier put up an additional P20 million, bringing to P50 million the reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
During Duterte’s visit to Batocabe’s wake in Albay, the President said a mayor would have knowledge about the killing—but did not say who the mayor was.
Albayalde has also said he is not discounting the possible involvement of a local chief executive, but said so far, they have no evidence linking the mayor with the crime.
The race for mayor next year in Daraga, Albay was supposed to be a three-corner fight, with Batocabe, the incumbent Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of the Lakas-CMD and Victor Perete of PDP-Laban.
Baldo, then the deputy of Mayor Gerry Jaucian, became mayor after Jaucian died in office in May 2018. Perete, on the other hand, was the top kagawad during the last elections.
The Ako Bicol Party-list on Friday said it wanted Batocabe’s son, Justin, to finish his remaining six months in office. It is unclear, however, who will run for mayor in the slain congressman’s place next year.
The Commission on Human Rights condemned Batocabe’s assassination.
“This act frustrates the people’s right to choose their leaders in the upcoming elections, and treats a person’s right to life and dignity of no consequence,” said Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel Gana.
The CHR has launched its own investigation into the case.
Gana said the case highlighted the increasing election-related violence and the need for gun control, which the government should address immediately,
“Similarly, this is not the only killing witnessed by the country. Priests, lawyers, public officials, human rights advocates, and ordinary citizens have also been subjects of such assault. These cases equally require our attention and vigilance in the interest of upholding justice and the rule of law for all,” she added.
“We call on the government to earnestly ensure that this trend of bloodshed no longer continues. At the same time, we hope witnesses surface with courage to make a stand to stop the many forms of violence and human rights violations that abound.” With Rio N. Araja