PNP confiscates 3 firearms of Daraga, Albay Mayor Baldo

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confiscated on Friday three out of the four firearms owned by Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo.

Baldo's gun license was canceled and his firearms were taken after police investigations pointed him out as the mastermind of the killing of AKO Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe who was supposed to run for mayor in the May 2019 elections.

According to Jonathan Andal's report on dzBB Super Radyo on Saturday, among the guns surrendered were one shotgun and two .45-caliber handguns.

Baldo's rifle, however, was said to be missing and could not be surrendered to the police.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said the mayor was able to quickly surrender his firearms after police officers went to his house on Friday.

Double murder charges and six counts of frustrated murder were already filed against Baldo and six of his employees.

Baldo, however, proclaimed his innocence and argued that he is being used as a scapegoat for the assassination of Batocabe.

Batocabe was killed in a gun attack on December 22 right after a Christmas gift-giving event in Albay. The 52-year old congressman and his bodyguard were declared dead upon arrival in the hospital. —Kaela Malig /KG, GMA News