Authorities eye six suspects in Batocabe slay

Authorities are looking into the possibility that there are six suspects in the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe on Saturday.

According to Chief Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Special Investigation Task Group Batocabe, the driver of Batocabe's vehicle said there could have been six suspects in the lawmaker's killing.

"According to him, posibleng anim ang mga suspects dito because may tatlong motorsiklo na naghihintay prior nu'ng incident na 'yun. In turns out na sabay pinaputukan 'yung security and si Congressman," Calubaquib said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Batocabe, along with his police escort Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, was shot dead on Saturday afternoon while he was about to ride his vehicle from a gift-giving event at a covered court in Barangay Burgos in Daraga, Albay.

Both victims were brought to the hospital but were declared dead on arrival.

Contrary to earlier information, Calubaquib said Batocabe sustained four gunshot wounds from the back.

Initial information showed that the lawmaker got eight gunshot wounds, but Calubaquib clarified that those were only caused by four bullets that pierced through his body.

Aside from Batocabe and Diaz, nine other individuals were wounded in the shooting incident after the bullets ricocheted, Calubaquib said.

Investigation into the killing of Batocabe and his police escort is ongoing, Calubaquib said, and authorities are employing all means to get to the bottom of the incident.

"Mabuti na lang may mga nakuha rin kaming mga footages na possibilities na puwedeng makapagbigay ng linaw. 'Yung mga nakipag-selfie sa kanila, kukunin din natin," she said. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News