VP Leni joins call for swift justice in Batocabe slay

Vice President Leni Robredo joined the call for swift justice in the death of AKO BICOL party-list representative Congressman Rodel Batocabe, who was shot to death Saturday afternoon in Daraga, Albay.

In a statement, Robredo conveyed her "deepest condolences" to the family of the slain politician.

"Rodel was a fellow Bicolano, my batchmate in UP Diliman, and a colleague in the 16th Congress. He was smart and eloquent, witty and cheerful, a person who lived life to the fullest. He will be missed, both for his service and his friendship," she said.

The Vice President went on to slam what she said was "yet another brazen murder, committed in broad daylight, in the middle of a crowd."

"This cannot, and must not be the new normal; when Filipinos, young and old, rich and poor, are gunned down in cold blood as a matter of course, and where none of us can feel safe," Robredo said.

"This impunity must end."

According to police investigators, Batocabe was attacked by unidentified gunmen at around 3 p.m. Saturday, just as he was about to get in his vehicle after a gift-giving event in Barangay Burgos in Daraga.

He and his bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The 52-year-old lawmaker was going to run for Daraga mayor in the May 2019 elections. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News