Albay mayor nabbed over Batocabe slay

MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of Daraga town in Albay, who has been tagged as the mastermind in the murders of AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, was arrested in the nearby municipality of Camalig shortly after midnight yesterday.

Mayor Carlwyn Baldo was collared by a joint team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Bicol police along Nuyda Avenue at around 12:45 a.m., according to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco.

Francisco said the CIDG has been tracking down Baldo, who went into hiding after acting Presiding Judge Acerey Pacheco of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 3 issued a warrant for his arrest on Aug. 21.

No bail was recommended for Baldo’s temporary liberty.

“He was not found in his addresses. That’s why the CIDG-Albay or the regional field unit of the CIDG conducted a surveillance in his known addresses,” Francisco said.

On Aug. 22, the team attempted to serve the warrant on Baldo, but only his siblings were found at his house, Francisco said.

Aside from Batocabe, his police escort M/Sgt.  Orlando Diaz was killed in the attack that was carried out during a gift-giving activity for senior citizens in December 2018.

Baldo posted bail in 2019 and won as mayor of Daraga in the 2022 elections.

Francisco said they would bring Baldo to Manila if the court would require it.

In a post on social media, Baldo said he respects the decision of the court. — Cet Dematera