PNP tags Daraga, Albay mayor as mastermind in Batocabe slay

The Philippine National Police has tagged Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind in the killing of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe.

At a press conference on Thursday, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that double murder charges and six counts of frustrated murder were filed against Baldo and six of his employees before the Albay Provincial Prosecutor's Office that morning.

LOOK: Isinapubliko ng Pambansang Pulisya ngayong araw ang diagram na nagtuturo kay Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo bilang mastermind sa pagpaslang kay AKO BICOL Party-List Rep. Rodel Batocabe. pic.twitter.com/5zkKTrfHj1

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 3, 2019

Based on the investigation, the PNP chief said, Baldo began planning Batocabe's assassination in August 2018, reaching out to an ex-military named Christopher Naval alias Tuping and offering him P5 million for the job.

Tuping then reportedly assembled a private army composed of either former military, paramilitary, or New People's Army members.

Albayalde said that Emmanuel Judavar, another employee of Baldo's, had come forward to the police and spilled the details on the plan to kill Batocabe.

Albayalde said that Judavar was initially involved in the Batocabe hit, originally scheduled for August 2018, but that he eventually backed out due to disagreements with the mayor.

“Mayroon siyang hindi kursunada na patakaran. Umalis siya kay mayor between September and October, at may kinuha siyang baril. Pakiramdam niya sineset-up siya, kaya ang option niya lang ay magpunta sa pulis,” Albayalde told reporters.

"This case is solved, but it is not closed. Convinced kami na itong mga [suspek] ay involved, pero baka meron pang [involved] na mas mataas kay Mayor," he said.

"The private armed group [who shot Batocabe] are employed by the mayor on confidential status and they are under fictitious names. The mayor has offered to pay them P5 million for Batocabe hit, and initially paid P250,000," Albayalde added.

The others charged by the police are Danilo Muella, alias Manoy Dan; Henry Yuson, alias Romel; Rolando Aromado, alias RR; Emmanuel Rosello, alias Boboy; and Jaywin Babor, alias Jie.

UPDATE: Ayon kay PNP Chief, Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde, ?5-M ang unang alok ni Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo para itumba si AKO BICOL Party-List Rep. Rodel Batocabe. | via @glenjuego pic.twitter.com/Oii4wfQlGp

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 3, 2019

As this developed, Albayalde also revoked the firearms licenses and permit to carry firearms outside Baldo's residence, and recommended the removal of the mayor's deputation over the local police of Daraga.

Baldo denies hand

Super Radyo dzBB's Glenn Juego quoted Batocabe's son, lawyer Justin Batocabe, as saying during the press conference that they were happy with the development. "The holidays have been very hard for us," he said.

Baldo had denied any involvement in the killing and cried foul over his name being dragged into the issue, saying his family was being affected by it, according to a Balitanghali report last week.

Batocabe and his bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, were shot dead at 3 p.m. after a gift-giving event at a covered court in Barangay Burgos two days before Christmas. He was running for mayor in Daraga in the May elections.

A P50-million reward had been offered for any information that would lead to the perpetrators of the crime.

The police earlier said it had already talked with several witnesses in late December. PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said that the witnesses gave statements that contributed progress in the police investigation.

“This is a victory for the rule of law and a stern warning against those unscrupulous politicians who will resort to violence to gain elected position,” Albayalde said.

“The long arm of the law will eventually catch on you,” he added. — MDM/BM, GMA News