House Speaker Martin Romualdez has cited what he called "striking parallels" between the killings of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March 4 and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe over four years ago.

In a statement Sunday, March 12, Romualdez said that he found it "highly suspicious" that most of Degamo's security detail or escorts from the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be absent on the day his assassination was carried out.

Degamo was gunned down inside his home in Pamplona, Negros Oriental in broad daylight.

Batocabe, a third-term congressman was also gunned down and killed on Dec. 22, 2018. He was then running for mayor of Daraga, Albay.

Reports said that despite threats to his life, two of the three police escorts of Batocabe were pulled out days before he was fatally shot.

“If we find out in this congressional inquiry that some PNP personnel were in cahoots with the perpetrators to remove the security protection of Gov. Degamo, we will recommend the filing of appropriate criminal charges against everyone involved,” said Romualdez, who is Leyte 1st district congressman.

Both Degamo and Batocabe were cut down while attending public events; the former was interacting with Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, while Batocabe was at a gift gift giving event for senior citizens in Burgos, Daraga.

They both received threats to their lives prior to their respective assassinations.

Romualdez has condemned the Degamo killing and urged the PNP leadership to immediately act to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace and order in the province.