Daraga mayor faces raps over Batocabe’s death

MANILA — The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed criminal and administrative complaints against Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo in relation to the murder of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

The police has tagged Baldo as the mastermind in the killing of Batocabe and his bodyguard, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz.

In a letter dated January 11, the CIDG requested the Office of the Ombudsman to take appropriate action on Baldo's offenses — conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and graft and corruption.

The police asked the court to look into the administrative aspect of the two counts of murder and six counts of multiple frustrated murder as defined under the Revised Penal Code.

The ombudsman was also asked to investigate the supposed disbursement of public funds for salaries of ghost employees in Daraga.

Batocabe and his security escort were shot dead while attending a giftgiving event in Barangay Burgos, Daraga, Albay on Dec. 22, 2018 while six others suffered gunshot wounds.

The slain lawmaker was Baldo's opponent in the mayoral race in the upcoming midterm elections.—