NABBED. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives arrest Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo (center, in white polo shirt) in Camalig town on Tuesday (Aug. 27, 2024). The mayor was tagged as the mastermind in the 2018 killing of Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort M/Sgt. Orlando Diaz. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)
MANILA – Police officers arrested Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo early Tuesday in connection with the killing of Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort in 2018.
In a report, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said its operatives from its field unit in Albay province and the local police arrested Baldo along Nuyda Ave St. in Camalig town at about 12:45 a.m.
The mayor has an arrest warrant for two counts of murder issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3 on Aug. 21, with no bail recommended.
Baldo was then taken to the CIDG-Field Unit office in Albay.
Meanwhile, Camalig town police chief Maj. Karlo Dy said the Daraga mayor is now detained at the town’s police station.
"The mayor of Daraga is now in our custody. On Monday, around 10 to 11 p.m., together with his brother, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo, he voluntarily surrendered," Dy said in a phone interview.
"CIDG-Albay processes the arrests, the booking, and the mugshot. We will wait for the commitment order," he added.
In a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the court of origin of the arrest warrant will be notified regarding Baldo's arrest.
He said Baldo may be brought to Manila if the court requires it.
“There are still five accused and I am getting the update of the whereabouts of these other accused from the CIDG Albay,” Francisco said.
In a statement, the Daraga mayor said he would respect the court's decision.
"Every trial comes, but some of it just passes by. I believe, just like before, we will overcome this. Now, we will face it with strength and trust in God," he said in Bicolano.
The mayor is tagged the mastermind in the killing of Batocabe and M/Sgt. Orlando Diaz in a Christmas gift-giving event in a remote village in Daraga in December 2018.
After the investigation and the testimony of some witnesses, including the alleged gunman, the local police charged Baldo who was accused of plotting the killing as Batocabe was then planning to challenge him in the mayoralty race.
The case was first heard before a court in Legazpi City but in 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the trial in Manila.
In September 2019, Baldo was released from the Legazpi City Jail after the Manila RTC Branch 10 granted his bail petition. (PNA)
