By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III urged anew the Philippine National Police (PNP) to solve the spate of killings in the country as he cried justice for slain Ako Bicol partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) Pimentel, in a statement Friday night, said he lost "a colleague, a friend and supporter," when Batocabe was shot dead in Daraga, Albay last Saturday. He then reiterated his appeal to the PNP to put an end to the incidence of such crimes. For him, the only way to address the murders is when police show that they have the ability to go after the perpetrators. "Only in solving crimes will we as a society be able to feel the benefits of the deterrent effect of our criminal justice system," Pimentel said. "We have to have the ability to solve crimes! There is no other way to stop the killings!" he added. "The criminal will not think twice in committing the crime if he does not believe in the capability of the PNP to identify him, arrest him, and for the DOJ to competently prosecute him. But it all starts with solving the crime," he stressed. Pimentel has been urging the PNP solve the large number of unsolved cases of killings in the country, which did not spare his allies in government. In May, former La Union 2nd District Representative Eufranio Eriguel was shot dead while delivering a speech in Barangay Capas, Agoo in the province. Eriguel was a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Barangay Ermita, Cebu City chairman and PDP-Laban member Felicisimo “Imok” Rupenta, was also ambushed in November last year.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) Pimentel, in a statement Friday night, said he lost "a colleague, a friend and supporter," when Batocabe was shot dead in Daraga, Albay last Saturday. He then reiterated his appeal to the PNP to put an end to the incidence of such crimes. For him, the only way to address the murders is when police show that they have the ability to go after the perpetrators. "Only in solving crimes will we as a society be able to feel the benefits of the deterrent effect of our criminal justice system," Pimentel said. "We have to have the ability to solve crimes! There is no other way to stop the killings!" he added. "The criminal will not think twice in committing the crime if he does not believe in the capability of the PNP to identify him, arrest him, and for the DOJ to competently prosecute him. But it all starts with solving the crime," he stressed. Pimentel has been urging the PNP solve the large number of unsolved cases of killings in the country, which did not spare his allies in government. In May, former La Union 2nd District Representative Eufranio Eriguel was shot dead while delivering a speech in Barangay Capas, Agoo in the province. Eriguel was a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Barangay Ermita, Cebu City chairman and PDP-Laban member Felicisimo “Imok” Rupenta, was also ambushed in November last year.