Daraga mayor tagged as Batocabe slay mastermind

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police identified the mayor of Daraga town in Albay as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

In a press conference Thursday, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo employed six people to assassinate Batocabe last December 22.

“From all indications as revealed by suspects and witnesses and physical evidence that was gathered by the police, the group that killed Batocabe and [Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando] Diaz is a private armed group employed by the mayor that is involved in contract killing as a gun for hire syndicate,” Albayalde said.

He noted that the assassination of Batocabe had been planned as early as August

Charges of double murder and six counts of multiple frustrated murder charges have been filed against Baldo and six others, the police chief also said. Albayade also recommended the removal of Baldo’s deputation over the local police in Daraga, Albay.

Before being named as the mastermind, Baldo earlier decried allegations of his link in the congressman’s killing.

“These reports are dragging my name down. I accept (the blame), being the mayor of Daraga where this sad incident happened. What I cannot take are insinuations that I am behind this crime. People who know the background of our family (are aware) that we do not resort to violence to resolve issues,” Baldo said in a report by The STAR.

Batocabe and his police aide, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, were shot dead after conducting a gift-giving event.

The party-list representative was a candidate for Daraga mayor in the 2019 polls. — Gaea Katreena Cabico

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