PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, December 26, raised the bounty on the killers of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe to P50 million from the previous P30 million.
Duterte made the announcement when he paid his last respects to Batocabe, his ally, at the Bicol University in Daraga, Albay late Wednesday night.
The President said anyone who knows Batocabe's killers can send a tip through short messaging service (SMS).
"There are leads, according to the police. I’m not at liberty really to talk about it because it would be incomplete," he said in a media interview on the sidelines of his visit to Batocabe's wake.
"The reward is, at this time, P30 million. I'm raising the ante. I'm putting it at -- plus P20 [million] -- P50 [million]. Ang sabihin mo lang, tip lang. Bigyan mo isang tip lang (Just give me a tip. Give just one tip)," Duterte added, referring to any information that would lead to the arrest of Batocabe's killers.
Batocabe, who was eyeing Daraga's mayoral seat in the 2019 midterm elections, was attending a gift-giving activity in his hometown on December 22 when he and his police escort were shot dead by at least six unidentified assailants.
During his visit to Batocabe's wake, Duterte said he had assured Batocabe's family that his administration would not "sit on our a** and allow these things to happen."
Duterte added that he has already instructed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson Sheriff Abas to place Daraga under the poll body's control to ensure peace and order during the conduct of next year's elections.
The President also cautioned 2019 midterm election hopefuls against "political terrorism, oppression, and intimidation."
"May warning lang ako sa mga kandidato who are prone to just kill their political opponents, precisely to win, lalo na ‘yung mga tao na yumaman diyan sa pwesto And they are there not really to protect or to serve their constituents but [for] their personal interest and their desire to win by hook or by crook. Killing could be a remedy para sa kanila mawala ‘yung kalaban nila," he said.
(I have a warning to candidates who are prone to just kill their political opponents, precisely to win, especially those who became wealthy during stay in office. And they are there not really to protect or to serve their constituents but [for] their personal interest and their desire to win by hook or by crook. Killing could be a remedy for them to get rid of their opponents.)
"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, p****** i** mo pupuntahan kita dito. I will personally confront you. ‘Pag hindi tayo nagkaintindihan, sampalin kita dito sa harap ng... At kung may ebidensya ko, kaladkarin kita. You better behave. You act like an angel. Huwag ninyong takutin ang mga tao o patayin ninyo because I will not allow it," he added.
(So if you are listening now, if you're not the one I'm referring to, just ignore it. But if you are the one who qre involved in unlawful acts, killing opponents, you son of a b****, I will go to you. I will personally confront you. If we donxt understand each other, I will slap you in front of [many people]. And if there's evidence, I will drag you. You act like an angel. Don't threaten to kill people because I will not allow it.)
Following Batocabe's killing, Duterte ordered the military and police to step up checkpoints and "kill" anyone who would refuse to undergo inspection at checkpoints.
"No candidate should strut around with bodyguards with long firearms. That’s prohibited. Only the police and the military [are]. All others, wala [are prohibited], except when you are granted a permit to carry by the Comelec," he said.
"Magdala ka ng baril, makadaan ka ng checkpoint at sabihin mo, hindi ako papara, kay governor ako, mayor ako, ang utos ko sa police pati military, p***** i** patayin mo. Subukan natin... ‘Pag ayaw huminto, makipag-away sa inyo, barilin mo. Iyan lang, simple ‘yan. Wala na tayong arte, human rights, human, human rights. 'Yun ang usapan," he added.
(When you carry a gun and during a checkpoint, you refuse to submit yourself yo inspection because you're with a governor or mayor, my order to the police and the military, son of a b****, kill them. Let's see what will happen... If they don't follow you and cause violence, shoot them. Let's not talk about human rights here. That's it.) (SunStar Philippines)