Daraga mayor Carlwyn Baldo charged over Rodel Batocabe slay

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay has been indicted over the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

Baldo was charged with  two counts of murder and six counts of frustrated murder before the Legazpi City regional trial court, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced yesterday.

 Richard Anthony Fadullon, head of the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service, said the Albay prosecutor’s office found probable cause to file charges against the mayor.

Also charged were the alleged gunman, Henry Yuson; Christopher Naval, Baldo’s security aide; Emmanuel Rosillo, Jaywin Babor, Henry Tyson and Rolando Arimado.

 Danilo Luella was charged as an accomplice.

Yuson said he was promised P5 million to kill Batocabe, but the money was cornered by Naval and Muella.

Yuson claimed Naval and Muella plotted the killing on orders of Baldo after Batocabe announced that he would run for mayor of Daraga.

Batocabe and his security escort Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz were shot dead after attending a gift-giving event for senior citizens in Barangay Burgos on Dec. 22.

Two men wearing masks approached and shot the victims at close range.

Batocabe and Diaz died while being treated in a hospital. 

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed criminal and administrative complaints against Baldo after several suspects surrendered and identified Baldo as the mastermind.  

Baldo was arrested  in January after unlicensed firearms were reportedly recovered during a raid  on his house.

He has denied ordering the assassination of Batocabe.