DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Just “one tip” and you can be P50 million richer.
An additional P20 million in reward money – courtesy of President Duterte – awaits a credible informant on the shooting of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, on top of the P30 million already pledged by the slain lawmaker’s colleagues and friends.
“May binulong si senator (Bong) Go. The reward at this time is 30 million. I’m raising the ante. I’m putting it at plus 20 to 50. Ang sabihin mo lang, tip lang. Bigyan mo isang tip lang,” the President said in a chance interview with reporters at the wake of Batocabe in Daraga, Albay the other night.
Batocabe, 52, was shot eight times by two unidentified men during a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) on Saturday afternoon in Barangay Burgos, Daraga town in Albay. Also killed was Batocabe’s security escort, Special Police Officer 2 Orlando Diaz.
Probers are looking at politics as the possible motive for the killing as Batocabe had filed his candidacy for mayor in his hometown of Daraga in the coming midterm elections.
Duterte said that based on initial findings, the leads were “very strong” and “almost straight.” While authorities have not pinpointed any suspect yet, he said the attack was clearly “politically motivated.”
“So if I say politically motivated, it could be a politician, it could be the mayor, it could (be) the governor or a barangay captain. But my favorite name now is mayor. But I’m not saying who that mayor is,” the President said. Batocabe’s family also asked President Duterte to help them achieve justice.
The President revealed he had ordered the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place Daraga under its control.
“So para madalian (To make it easier), anyway there’s really lawlessness and violent crimes during election. I just called the chairman of the Comelec and recommended to him to place Daraga under Comelec control,” he said.
“Let’s go back to the Alunan doctrine that no candidate should strut around with bodyguards with long firearms, that’s prohibited. Only the police and the military, all others, not allowed except when you are granted a permit to carry by the Comelec,” he said.
“So lahat ‘yan ngayon is Comelec control... the office that has the final say of what to do in the matter of law and order,” he added.
The President reiterated his warning to candidates and politicians seeking reelection not to “terrorize, oppress, or intimidate” voters.
“If you’re listening now and you have not committed anything wrong, just ignore it. But if you’re the one involved in wrongdoing, killing rivals, I will ask you to come here. I will personally confront you,” he said.
He also warned members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to stop “extorting” from politicians during the campaign period. With their extortion activities, he said communist guerrillas “cause an aberration in the system” as people can’t go out freely to campaign.
“Allow the people to campaign. Do not pretend to be the protector of people and yet you are milking them dry,” he added.
He said the NPA can prove that it’s not behind the murder of Batocabe and his bodyguard by helping authorities find the suspect.
It’s politics, lawmakers say
More lawmaker-colleagues of Batocabe have expressed belief local politics may have something to do with his murder.
“In any criminal activity, it’s the motive that is the overriding concern. Who stands to gain in Rodel’s absence? The President has also spoken. The wife has also given her statement to the police,” House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez told reporters in a press briefing.
Batocabe, who was on his third and last term as lawmaker, belongs to the official House minority bloc under Suarez’s leadership.
“He (Batocabe) is a political threat to the career of the mayor. That appears to be the motive. Who will gain in all of these?” the Quezon congressman said, hinting the “hitman” himself may have been killed as well following reports of the discovery of an unidentified cadaver.
“That’s very unusual,” Suarez remarked even as he downplayed calls for the disarming of politicians’ bodyguards. “No amount of security will suffice to a determined hitman.”
Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, who spearheaded the raising of P5 million reward money in the House for the arrest of the killers, likewise expressed belief the lawmaker’s rivals would do anything to stop him from running in the coming elections.
“Maybe they are afraid of reforms, and they don’t want to be defeated,” he said. Batocabe, he maintained, was “one of the most hardworking members of the House.”
Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez, the first nominee of Tingog Sinirangan party-list, said she is “hoping that the outpouring of love and support” for Batocabe’s loved ones “will somehow give them comfort at this very difficult time.”
“Bicolanos everywhere have lost a friend and an ally. I call on authorities to address this unforgivable, brazen and violent act immediately. Investigate and prosecute with speed and urgency. God bless our friend and an exemplary Bicolano,” she said.
“He made an impact to the lives of many Filipinos and definitely will continue to remain a source of inspiration to many,” Romualdez, chairperson of the House committee on accounts, said of the slain lawmaker.
Hotspot status
Meanwhile, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the seven-man poll body is expected to meet as a whole before the start of the election period on Jan. 13 to discuss the recommendation placing Daraga under Comelec control.
“The Comelec is considering placing Daraga under Comelec control after the local Comelec recommended this course of action in the wake of Batocabe killing,” Jimenez announced yesterday.
“As it is there is already intense political rivalry in Daraga and there is a possibility that things may go out of hand,” Jimenez said.
Aside from the killing of Batoacabe and his aide, Jimenez also cited the discovery in Daraga of the remains of two unidentified men, believed to be murder victims. It was not clear if the discovery of the dead bodies was linked to the Batocabe killing.
“The perpetrators of these crimes remain at large, contributing to the atmosphere of fear in the municipality. Local Comelec expressed concern that this might exacerbate the current intense political rivalries in the area, leading to further violent incidents,” Jimenez pointed out.
Under the law, the Comelec may place any area wracked by or threatened with violence under its immediate and direct control.
But so far, Jimenez said, the Comelec has not placed any area under Comelec control.
“This does not mean that no area will be placed under Comelec control, it’s just that at this time, there is none yet,” he added. With Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin