Fight for justice continues, says Batocabe's son after Baldo posted bail

The family of slain Ako Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe continues to fight for justice even as the murder's alleged mastermind, former Daraga, Albay mayor Carlwyn Baldo, has been provisionally set free.

"Tuloy ang pagpupursigi ng aming pamilya at ng mga taga-Daraga sa pagkamit ng hustisya para sa pinaslang naming ama," Justin Batocabe, Rodel's son, said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Our only consolation at this point [is] that the charges against Carlwyn Baldo remain pending and alive, and that Baldo is no longer Mayor of Daraga," he added.

Baldo, who was charged with two counts of murder for allegedly masterminding the killing of the former lawmaker and his aide in December last year, has posted bail amounting to P8 million for his temporary liberty.

The court last week allowed Baldo to post bail, citing the prosecution's failure to present enough evidence that could warrant the junking of his motion for bail.

The court reportedly noted that Baldo was not physically present at the scene when Batocabe and his security escort were shot dead in December 2018. It also said the empty shells found at the crime scene did not match Baldo's registered firearms.

But Justin said Baldo is not yet totally free and they "must still see him in court."

"We remain in grief, shock, anger, and disbelief that Legazpi City RTC Branch 10, on August 30, 2019, ordered the release on bail of Baldo despite no less than all the accused-conspirators and all the gathered evidence saying he was the mastermind of the killing of the late AKO BICOL Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe," he said.

"We will study whether we can hold the judge accountable for grave abuse of discretion or overstepping the limits of her authority," he added. —KBK, GMA News