GORDON COMMENDS PNP FOR SWIFT RESOLUTION OF BATOCABE SLAY CASE

Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, today commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the swift resolution of the assassination of Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe.

"I wish to congratulate the Philippine National Police in its swift and effective identification of the mastermind and suspects involved in the assassination of Ako Bicol Partylist Congressman Rodel Batocabe including the prompt filing of charges before the provincial prosecutor of Albay and the recommendation for the immediate issuance of an HDO against Daraga City Mayor Carl Wynn Baldo," he said in a statement.

Noting that it is a good start to the year, Gordon also expressed hope that the PNP will continue to work towards swift justice and that the people could always aid and trust the PNP as they did in the Batocabe case.

"Let us all wish that the community can always aid and trust the PNP as they did in this case. Let us continue towards swift justice all throughout 2019 and onwards!" he said.

The PNP has tagged Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind in the killing last December 22 of the partylist congressman and his bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz.

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said complaints for double murder and six counts of frustrated murder have already been filed against Baldo and six of his employees before the Albay Provincial Prosecutor's Office on Thursday morning.

Batocabe and his bodyguard were shot dead at 3 p.m. on December 22, 2018 after a gift-giving event at a covered court in Barangay Burgos. He was running for mayor in Daraga in the May elections.