Bicol peaceful after Batocabe slay, say police

The fatal shooting of a party-list lawmaker in Bicol was not followed by any major violent incident, police said Thursday. 

AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe was distributing Christmas gifts in his hometown in Daraga, Albay when he and his police escort were gunned down by at least 6 assailants on Saturday. 

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"Wala masyadong incident dito sa Bicol region na masasabi nating significant kaya ang pinapapatutukan sa 'tin ngayon really is to solve [the killing] asap. Ngayon very peaceful naman po ang Bicol region," said Chief Inspector Malou Calubaquib, a regional police spokeswoman.

(There has been no significant incident here in Bicol region so we were instructed to focus on resolving the killing asap. Bicol region is very peaceful right now.) 

Batocabe, who was eyeing Daraga's mayoral seat in the 2019 elections, earlier claimed rivals were using armed groups to meddle with the vote. 

Authorities are focusing on the angle that his killing was politically motivated, police earlier said.

Investigators have identified 6 persons of interest in Batocabe's killing, who may be members of a gun-for-hire group, said Calubaquib. 

Police will also await guidance from the Commission on Elections about "hotspots" or areas of concern during the midterm polls, she said. 

Lawmakers and the local government raised P30 million for information that would lead to the slay's mastermind, and the gunmen. 
 
DZMM, 27 December 2018