MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed confidence in resolving the murder of Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort as two persons claiming to be witnesses have appeared.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Bong Durana said in a television interview that there are positive developments with regards to the investigation in the murder of Batocabe and Senior Police Officer 1 Rolando Diaz on Dec. 22 in Daraga, Albay.
“There are a lot of encouraging results based on this investigation and for sure you’ll be hearing good news from the PNP soon,” Durana said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday afternoon.
Durana added that manhunt operations are underway but they are not discounting on the possible involvement of a mayor or the New People’s Army in the ambush.
“We are looking at all angles and all suspects and all masterminds at this point,” Durana said. “We are not striking out the possibility that the communist armed group is behind the ambush.”
The 52-year-old Batocabe was having a Christmas gift giving in his hometown in Daraga, Albay when he and his police escort were gunned down by at least six suspects.
Batocabe died due to eight gunshot wounds from .40- and .45-caliber firearms. The assailants walked away from the crime scene by mixing in with the crowd.
Batocabe, who was elected for Ako Bicol party-list in 2010, was a candidate for mayoral seat in Daraga, Albay in the 2019 midterm elections./PN
