More Batocabe slay suspects surrender

MANILA, Philippines — All six suspects in the killing of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe are in police custody, but the alleged mastermind remains free.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Daraga, Albay town Mayor Carlwyn Baldo is the final “piece of the puzzle” in their effort to uncover the truth behind the killing of Batocabe and police escort SPO1 Orlando Diaz.

Albayalde said the last two suspects, Rolando Arimado and Danilo Muella, surrendered yesterday.

Arimado, whom witnesses tagged as the other gunman, and Muella, Baldo’s security aide,  surrendered separately to police in Masbate and the regional PNP Intelligence Group in Legazpi City, Albay.

With their surrender, Albayalde said the PNP is all set to “complete the puzzle” with the impending arrest of Baldo.

Police had filed charges of murder and frustrated murder against Baldo and the other suspects before the Albay provincial prosecutor’s office.

The charges came following the separate statements of the suspects and witnesses, all pointing to Baldo as the alleged mastermind in the killing.

Supt. Dennis Balla, Daraga police chief, explained the apparent delay in the arrest of Baldo.

He said the charges have to undergo the regular filing process since it is not a case of inquest filing since the suspects are already in police custody while complaints against them are being filed.

An official of the Daraga town mayor’s office said Baldo has yet to receive the subpoena from the Albay Prosecutor’s Office.

The official claimed Baldo is just waiting for the opportunity to answer all the accusations linking him to the killing of Batocabe and his police bodyguard.

Baldo held a press conference on the same day the police linked him to the killing of the lawmaker. He just read a prepared statement denying his role in the killing.

Baldo said he would answer the allegations in the proper forum.

The regional PNP has confiscated Baldo’s three firearms, a 12-gauge shotgun and two .45 automatics.

Baldo failed to turn over a rifle that was issued to him, which he claimed has been missing since last year.

The PNP also requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue a lookout bulletin against Baldo to prevent him from leaving the country.

Justice Secretary Medardo Guevarra said they would take “appropriate action” on the PNP’s request.

Guevarra noted the DOJ cannot take the initiative to issue a hold order bulletin as it will be in violation of the constitutional right to travel by an individual.

The Supreme Court approved a Rule on Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) that allows the trial courts to issue a directive barring personalities facing charges from leaving the country. 

Step up law enforcement

Baldo has been consistently tagged as the one who ordered the assassination of Batocabe.

Albayalde said the suspects who had surrendered gave separate statements, consistently pointing to Baldo as their principal.

The alleged main gunman, Henry Yuson, and Jaywin Babor, the driver of the getaway motorcycle in the ambush, surrendered to authorities on Thursday. 

Already in police custody were Christopher Naval and Emmanuel Rosello. 

Yuson admitted to police that Baldo sometime in August ordered the killing of Batocabe after he announced his bid for the mayoralty post. 

Yuson, who is being held without bail for an unrelated case of rape, claimed he was double-crossed by Muella and Naval, who plotted the fatal ambush.

He said he did not get any of the promised amount, which authorities said was pegged at P5 million. 

The double-cross apparently led to the surrender of the suspects.

Batocabe and Diaz were gunned down as they were about to ride their vehicle after a gift-giving event for senior citizens in Barangay Burgos on Dec. 22.

Six other people were wounded in the incident.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito noted the Batocabe slay case might be an exception to the general perception that majority of political killings remain unresolved.

Ejercito urged the authorities to solve all the other political killings and step up law enforcement to prevent political violence ahead of the May 10 elections.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he will call for a public hearing on recent killings, including Batocabe’s and former Kadingilan, Bukidnon Mayor Joelito Talaid within hours of each other last week.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Ccommittee on public order and dangerous drugs, said the PNP should lose no time in imposing stricter gun control measures ahead of the elections in May. –  Cet Dematera, Evelyn Macairan, Cecille Suerte Felipe