Main gunman in Batocabe slay surrenders

INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged main gunman in the killing of AKO Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe has surrendered to authorities.

Henry Yuson, an alleged former member of the New People’s Army who later became a militiaman, surrendered to an Army unit in Sorsogon on Thursday afternoon, Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, director of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) told INQUIRER.net.

Yuson is now in the custody of the Albay provincial police director and the director of the CIDG Bicol, Corpus said.

Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal, director of the Bicol region police, said Yuson also has a standing arrest warrant for rape.

Police said Yuson is the alleged main gunman who shot and killed Batocabe with a caliber .40 pistol.

Batocabe and his police escort SPO2 Orlando Diaz were killed at a gift-giving event in Albay on December 22.

Police earlier said investigation showed that Daraga Mayor Carlwyn   Baldo allegedly masterminded the killing.

Yuson was among seven suspects who were allegedly hired by Baldo to kill Batocabe.

Suspects Christopher Naval and Emmanuel Rosello and a suspect-turned-witness Emmanuel Bonita Judavar are already in police custody, police said. /muf