Ex-Daraga mayor in Batocabe murder released from jail

MANILA, Philippines — Former mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay was released from detention yesterday afternoon.

Baldo left the Legazpi City Jail in Albay at around 4:47 p.m., according to Alan Iral, chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

“I was informed by the warden that Baldo has been released,” Iral said in a text message to The STAR.

Baldo posted bail amounting to P8.7 million in a court where his camp submitted land titles as surety bonds on Wednesday.

Baldo was tagged as the mastermind in the murder of Ako Bicol representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, M/Sgt. Orlando Diaz, in December last year.

Brig. Gen. Arnel Escobal, Bicol police director, said they were still gathering details on Baldo’s release.

Escobal earlier said Baldo could not yet be released from jail as the court had to resolve a motion for reconsideration filed by the relatives of the victims.

After his release, Baldo and his lawyers were reportedly advised by the court to refrain from discussing his cases in public and in the media.

A source said the court rejected Baldo’s request to allow him to answer the allegations hurled against him.

Baldo was apparently referring to the statements issued by Batocabe’s son.

The Regional Trial Court Branch 10 in Legazpi City on Aug. 29 allowed Baldo to post bail of P3 million for each count of murder.

The court said the prosecution failed to prove that Baldo’s evidence of guilt is strong enough to warrant denial of his motion for bail.

It said allowing Baldo to post bail did not mean that he is innocent of the crime charged.

The court said it was merely resolving Baldo’s motion for bail.