The Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame (Photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Two more suspects in the murder of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz, have surrendered to police on Saturday morning, according to statement issued the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday.
The PNP said rebel returnee Rolando Arimado and former Army soldier Danilo Muella surrendered to authorities in Bicol.
“Six prime suspects and a key witness in the celebrated Batocabe-Diaz double murder case are now in police custody after two more suspects yielded to authorities overnight,” the PNP said.
Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, reported that Arimado alias “RR” surrendered in Masbate and then was shuttled to Bicol.
After negotiations of his wife and son, Arimado was then taken under custody by members of Albay and the Masbate police at 7:00 a.m.
Police said Arimado was tagged as “look-out and back-up gunman” in the assassination of Batocabe and his escort last Dec. 22, 2018.
Muella was also identified as another trusted police aide of Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, who was the alleged mastermind of the Batocabe killing.
Muella surrendered to the Regional Intelligence Office 5 at 1:00 a.m.
Police said Muella bought two .45-caliber pistols which were used in the murder.
Other suspects already placed in police custody were Christopher Naval, a discharged Army member and alleged trusted security aide of Mayor Baldo; former militiaman Emmanuel Rosello; and alleged gunman and former New People’s Army member Henry Yuson.
On Friday, former member of the Army, Jaywin Babor, also surrendered to police and was placed under custody of police’s intelligence group at PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
However, out of the seven suspects, Baldo has yet to surrender to police./jpv