President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Commission on Election (COMELEC) to place Daraga, Albay under its control following the murder of AKO-BICOL Partylist rep. Rodel Batocabe who is running for mayor in the said town.
“So para madalian (This is to act on immediate concerns), anyway there’s really lawlessness and ‘yung violent crimes during election,” the president said,
Duterte said no candidate should strut around with bodyguards with long firearms since it’s prohibited and only the police and the military are allowed.
“So lahat ‘yan ngayon is Comelec control (So, all of these will be now under Comelec control)… the office that has the final say of what to do in the matter of law and order,” he said.
He said the assault was clearly “politically motivated” even authorities have not pinpointed any suspect yet, but based on the initial findings the leads were “very strong” and “almost straight.”
“So if I say politically motivated, it could be a politician, it could be the mayor, it could [be] the governor or a barangay captain. But my favorite name now is mayor. But I’m not saying who that mayor is,” the President explained.
President Duterte talked to Batocabe’s widow and children during the wake visit and he expressed his deepest condolences. The family also asked President Duterte to help them seek justice for their slain loved one.
Duterte reiterated his warning to politicians running for the midterm election not to “terrorize” the poll nor “oppress” and “intimidate” the voters.
“So kung nakinig kayo ngayon, eh kung hindi ikaw, just ignore it. But if you are the one na gumagawa ng kalokohan, pinapatay ‘yung mga kalaban… pupuntahan kita dito (So, if you are listening now, if not you, just ignore it. But if if you are the one who made crazy things, killing your opponent… I will come here). I will personally confront you,” he said.