MANILA – Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo was arrested early Tuesday in connection with the 2018 murder of Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort.
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), officers from their Albay field unit, along with local police, apprehended Baldo around 12:45 a.m. along Nuyda Ave St. in Camalig town.
The arrest was made under a warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3 on August 21, charging Baldo with two counts of murder, with no bail recommended.
Baldo was taken to the CIDG-Field Unit office in Albay.
Authorities allege that Baldo orchestrated the killing of Batocabe and M/Sgt. Orlando Diaz during a Christmas gift-giving event in a remote village in Daraga in December 2018. Witnesses, including the alleged gunman, implicated Baldo, claiming he plotted the murder to eliminate Batocabe, who was planning to run against him in the mayoral race.
Initially, the case was tried in a Legazpi City court, but in 2019, the Supreme Court ordered its transfer to Manila.
Baldo had been released on bail in September 2019 after the Manila RTC Branch 10 granted his petition.