Party-list lawmaker shot dead in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines — Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his bodyguard were shot dead by unidentified men in a remote village in Daraga, Albay yesterday.

Police said Batocabe was about to board his vehicle after attending a gift-giving event for senior citizens in Barangay Burgos when two masked men approached and shot at close range the 52-year-old lawmaker and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz.

Initial reports said there were at least two gunmen who were wearing ski masks.

Batocabe, a candidate for mayor in his hometown of Daraga, and Diaz succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds while being treated at a local hospital.

Joseph Espinas, Batocabe’s runningmate for vice mayor, said at least two bonnet-wearing men approached the victims while they were about to board their vehicle.

“When we were done and about to leave the covered court the shooting happened,” Espinas said.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal said they are eyeing politics as a possible motive in the killing of Batocabe.

Escobal said he was able to talk to Batocabe about two weeks ago regarding security concerns as he was intending to go around town in time for Christmas.

Batocabe was supposed to go head-to-head with two other candidates, incumbent Daraga town Mayor Carlwun Baldo and Vice Mayor Victor Perete.

Malacañang condemned the killing of Batocabe.

“We denounce the senseless killing of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“Proper authorities are now investigating this brazen murder as we vow to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of this felonious act to justice,” Panelo said.

Malacañang extended its “deep condolences” to the family of Batocabe, his loved ones and his friends and colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Batocabe’s colleagues in the House of Representatives condemned the attack.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo condemned “in the strongest possible terms the killing of an ally and friend.”

“Nothing can justify his murder and that of his police aide. I call on our law enforcement agencies to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation to bring all those behind this dastardly act to justice,” she said.

Arroyo offered her “deepest condolences to his family and constituents whom he had served with much commitment and compassion.”

Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said he shared the “outrage, the pain and the shock of my fellow Bicolanos over the death of my friend and colleague.”

“He was a man of peace and a visionary for progress. The laws he had authored and the programs he had initiated will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people he had selflessly served long after he is gone. That he and his police aide were cowardly assassinated while spreading cheer in this season of forgiveness betrays the evil nature of the perpetrators,” he said.

Albay Reps. Edcel Lagman and Joey Salceda said they were “completely outraged and distressed” by Batocabe’s murder.

“His killers and their mastermind must be relentlessly pursued, apprehended and brought to justice without delay. The real motive and its malevolent ramifications must be determined and established without sparing anyone,” Lagman said.

“Politics must not be stained by the blood of politicians and partisans. It must be confined to the confrontation of ideas and programs in the tranquil fora of mutual respect and civility.?“The culture of violence must be forthwith eliminated, instead of being perpetuated, condoned and encouraged by those in power,” he added.

Batocabe was on his third and last term as representative of Ako Bicol. He finished his economics and law degrees with honors at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. He was president of the Party-list Coalition in the House of Representatives.

He was a member of several House committees, including justice, ways and means, transportation, natural resources, games and amusement, tourism, housing and urban development and health.

Batocabe also served in the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and Joint Congressional Power Commission. – With Jess Diaz, Romina Cabrera