Embattled Daraga town Mayor Carlwyn Baldo finally surrendered to authorities in Albay Friday morning in connection with the killing of Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe and his security escort in December 2018.
Police Colonel Wilson Asueta, chief of Albay Provincial Police Office (PPO), said Baldo, the primary suspect in Batocabe’s murder, showed up at the Legazpi, Albay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 around 8:30 a.m.
“At around 8:30 a.m. today (Friday), Mayor Baldo surrendered at RTC Branch 10 accompanied by his family and lawyer,” Asueta said in a text message.
Baldo’s surrender came after a manhunt operation was launched by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) last Monday.
Baldo failed to surface in his residence at Lakandula Drive, Barangay Tagas, Daraga when CIDG operatives served the warrant of arrest issued by Legazpi RTC Branch 10 Judge Maria Theresa Loquillano.
Baldo and six other members of a hit squad he allegedly hired are facing double murder and six attempted murder charges due over Batocabe’s slaying.
It was not clear why Baldo was not present when the warrant of arrest against him was served.
However, Asueta said Baldo’s surrender is vital to the development of the case since “the court can finally acquire jurisdiction” of the mayor.
Asueta said Baldo will be detained at Legazpi City Jail. His arraignment will be on May 30.
Baldo was tagged as the mastermind behind the killing of Batocabe and Police Senior Master Sergeant Orlando Diaz in a gift-giving activity in Daraga, Albay on December 22, 2018. Six others were hurt in the said incident.
All members of the hit squad pointed to Baldo as the brains behind Batocabe’s assassination plot, Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, earlier said.
The killing occurred days after Batocabe announced in public that he would challenge Baldo for the mayoral post of Daraga in the upcoming May 13 midterm elections.
Baldo was first arrested on January 22, 2019 in a raid conducted by joint police forces in his house.
However, he was hospitalized that same day when he complained of having difficulty in breathing.
He was later released in February after paying a P3-million bail. (Martin A. Sadongdong)