Batocabe slay suspects placed on BI lookout list

The Department of Justice has ordered immigration authorities to monitor any attempts by the alleged mastermind of the murder of Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe to leave the country.

The DOJ has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo and eight other persons implicated in the killing, Justice Undersecretary and spokesman Markk Perete confirmed Tuesday.

An ILBO directs the Bureau of Immigration to coordinate with and seek assistance from the National Prosecution Service, the National Bureau of Investigation and other relevant offices should its subjects try to flee the Philippines, Perete said.

Unlike a precautionary hold departure order, which can be issued by a court upon request by the prosecution, an ILBO does not authorize immigration officers to prevent its subjects from leaving the country.

Apart from Baldo, covered by the ILBO are Emmanuel Rosillo, Jaywin Babor, Danilo Muella, Henry Yuzon, Gilbert Concepcion, Agaton Concepcion, Christopher Cabrera Naval, and Emmanuel Judavar.

Baldo, Naval, Judavar, Muella, Yuzon, Rosillo, and Babor were earlier identified as respondents in the Philippine National Police's complaint for double murder and frustrated murder.

The congressman and his bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, were killed in a gun attack as they were about to leave a gift-giving event in Barangay Burgos, Daraga, last December 22.

Batocabe was about to run against Baldo for Daraga mayor in the May 2019 elections. — BM, GMA News