Statement of Senator Richard J. Gordon
On the Assassination of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe

We commiserate with the family of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe during this time of grief. His assassination is a loss to the country. It is also an indication of moral decay as it showed that there are elements in our society that believe that a culture of violence is the only way to change.

His assassination shows that there are people who think that violence and bloodshed are substitues for dialougue and clean, honest and peaceful elections. Investigations are still ongoing as to who are the actual perpetrators in the killing of Representative Batocabe but it behooves the local authorities, and the people themselves, to work together to identify and arrest the perpetrators. We must follow the rule of law as promulgated in the Constituion.

With the level of technology today, the work of the police has become easier with the presence of CCTV cameras and cellphones with video cameras - these, together with systematice sleuthing, should lead to the identification of the perpetrators and their being arrested. The people must also help the police by providing statements on what they may have witnessed including providing sworn testimonies to ensure that the perpetrators are appropriately punished.

At this time of turmoil, we must all go back to our fundamental law, the Philippine Constitution for guidance. The Constitutiion specifies the manner by which we elect our leaders - through free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections. Acts of violence such as the assassination of Representative Batocabe derogate this basic ideal.

The Constitution also mandates that our government ensure rule of law and due process every step of the way - from criminal investigation to identification of the accussed, the filing of criminal charges before our courts, arrest, trial, promulgation of judment and then imposition of penalties, if warranted by evidence. This entire process must be undertaken judiciously in a fair but fast manner so that the citizens would not feel the need to take matters into their own hands through extra legal means to achieve closure

Once again, my condolences to the family of Congressman Batocabe whom we knew well and we urge that the police solve the case immediately and that the people help our authorities by sharing whatever information they have that could help solve the case.