AKO BICOL party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe was shot dead by unidentified assailants while attending a gift-giving activity in Daraga, Albay on Saturday afternoon, December 22.
Batocabe, 52, graced a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Burgos village in Daraga, Albay when he was gunned down at around 3 p.m., Saturday, according to police report.
Batocabe's police escort, Senior Police Office 1 Orlando Diaz, was also shot.
The two were rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.
Batocabe was serving his last term as a congressman and was running for mayor of Daraga, Albay in the 2019 midterm elections.
As a lawmaker, he served as the vice chairman of House committess on dangerous drugs; good government and public accountability; and natural resources.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace offered its condolences to Batocabe's family, as it denounced the "senseless" killing of the party-list lawmaker.
"Proper authorities are now investigating this brazen murder as we vow to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of this felonious act to justice," the Palace official said.
"The Palace likewise expresses its deep condolences to his bereaved family, his loved ones, as well as his friends and colleagues in Congress during this moment of great grief," he added. (VoxPop Philippines)
