From P30-million, President Rodrigo Duterte increased the bounty for the arrest of perpetrators behind the killing of AKO Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe to P50-million.
Duterte said this in an interview with reporters on Wednesday, December 26, as he paid his last respects to the slain lawmaker at the Bicol University.
“The reward is 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 (Just say a tip. Just at least one tip),” Duterte told the media.
While the police have not yet named the suspects, the President said Batocabe’s murder was “politically motivated.”
“It could be a politician, it could be the mayor, it could the governor, or a barangay (village) captain. But my favorite name now is mayor. But I’m not saying who that mayor is,” Duterte said.
The Chief Executive said he is joining Batocabe’s widow, Gertie, in eyeing a certain politician who may be behind the assassination of the congressman.
“Baka ikaw nga. Kaya may tatakbo as substitute. P****** i** mo, matatalo ka man talaga (It may be you. That is why someone will be running as a substitute. Motherf*cker you will lose anyway),” Duterte said.
He continued, “Do not try to be desperate and do folly things because you’ll have to deal with the government, the people, the Armed Forces [of the Philippines], pati (and) the Philippine National Police (PNP). Huwag ka talagang… Baka susunod ka (Do not even… you might be next).”
Duterte noted that Bicolanos also “knew” who ordered the murder of Batocabe.
“I have my reasons also to suspect the guy. Huwag mong gawain ‘yan kasi hindi lahat tao matatakot nang ganun. Kaya ‘pag ikaw ang natamaan nito, babalik ako dito, pahiyain kita. You know what, akyatin kita sa bahay mo, sampalin kita. Kung gusto mong subukan, gagawa ka pa ng isang kalokohan (Do not do that because not all people are afraid of you. If you get offended by this, I will come back here and shame you. You know what, I will go to your house and slap you. If you want to try me, then do something like this again),” the President said.
“Ngayon, ‘pag napundi ako sa’yo, p***** i** mo babarilin kita. Kung ‘yan ang paraan lang para magkaroon tayo ng kapayapaan, na peaceful election (Now, if I have had enough of you, motherf*cker I will shoot you. If that is the only way we can have peace, a peaceful election) then do not f*** the system. Better behave,” he added.
Duterte then gave a warning to those candidates who attack their political opponents just so they could win the elections.
“They are there not really to protect or to serve their constituents but their personal interest and ‘yung — their desire to win by hook or by crook. Killing could be a — a remedy para sa kanila mawala ‘yung kalaban nila (for them to get rid of their enemies),” he said.
“Let me just say, I promise the Filipino people, my country that I will not allow political terrorism, oppression, and intimidation,” he added.
Batocabe, who was eyeing the mayoral seat of Daraga, Albay in the 2019 elections, was killed on Saturday, December 22, along with his security escort, Senior Police Officer I Orlando Diaz.
The 52-year-old lawmaker was attending a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Barangay Burgos in Daraga when he was shot by unidentified gunmen. Batocabe died after suffering from eight gunshot wounds.
The PNP earlier said it has already six persons of interest in the Batocabe’s killing but their names were not revealed to the public yet.
The cops are also considering possible involvement of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the crime.
However, the communists denied any role in Batocabe’s slay, saying that it has been “automatic” for the policemen to tag members of the NPA in such cases of murder and other crimes to “cover up” their seriousness in investigating and arresting perpetrators who are “usually from their ranks.”