The Philippine National Police (PNP) today announced that the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Congressperson Rodel Batocabe is Carlwyn Baldo, the mayor of Daraga, Albay.
PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde alleged that Baldo hired seven people — former rebels and military officials — to kill Batocabe, a representative of the party-list group Ako Bicol.
Albayalde alleged that Baldo paid the killers PHP5 million (US$94,900), reported ABS-CBN News.
Batocabe was reportedly planning to run for mayor in Daraga, Albay, according to The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
According to Albayalde, Baldo allegedly started planning the crime in August when the mayor contacted a former military personnel named Christopher Naval, reported GMA News.
It was Naval who allegedly assembled the group responsible for killing Batocabe. Baldo allegedly made an initial payment of PHP250,000 (US$4,745) to the hit group.
The PNP learned of Baldo’s alleged involvement when one of the men contracted for the killing, a certain Emmanuel Bonita Judavar, revealed the details of the crime to the police. Judavar allegedly backed out of committing the assassination, reported the Inquirer.
A former aide of Baldo, Christopher Cabrera, also testified against the mayor after he was “forced” to surrender to the PNP.
Albayalde said that the PNP has already filed charges of double murder against Baldo and the other suspects.
On Dec. 22, Batocabe and his police escort Orlando Diaz were shot by two bonnet-wearing gunmen when they attended a gift-giving activity for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the village of Burgos in Daraga at around 3pm, reported Rappler. Both men were declared dead on arrival when they were rushed to AMEC Hospital in Legazpi City, Albay.
It was Batocabe and his wife’s wedding anniversary on the day that he was killed.
Baldo was quick to deny his involvement in the crime, despite not having been identified as a suspect during that time, reported the Inquirer.
Albayalde said: “This case is solved, but it is not closed. We are convinced that these [suspects] are involved [in the crime], but it’s possible that there are those [involved] who are higher than Mayor [Baldo].”
Congressperson Batocabe’s son, Justin Batocabe, said that they were happy with the development. He told radio station DZBB: “The holidays have been very hard for us.”
