Probers flooded with tips on Batocabe slay

LEGAZPI CITY  , Philippines  —  As tips about the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his escort continued to pour in, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) is carefully processing information to ensure that the investigation will not be muddled, police said yesterday.

Chief Insp. Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police and Task Force Batocabe spokesperson, admitted that information on Batocabe’s killing is pouring in to the task force.

Batocabe and his bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, were shot dead on Dec. 22 by gunmen after a gift-giving event in Daraga, Albay.

“We don’t know yet whether the flooding in of these tips is triggered by the very big reward money (P50-million bounty),” Calubaquib told The STAR.

Calubaquib said that the tips have provided inputs on what angles or possible motives to pursue.

“Some have some semblance of possibility, but some are quite impossible or too good to be true,” he said.

But she admitted that the investigation is leading towards some positive results.

“So far so good. And we are glad that most of those handing us substantial tips do not even mention about the reward money. They simply want to help the police solve the case as soon as possible,” Calubaquib added.

The police released two sketches of suspects the other day.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde had earlier said that six persons of interest have been identified and are now being investigated by authorities.

Albayalde also requested people who have any information about the Batocabe slay to surface and help them solve the case.