Lakas-CMD drops Daraga mayor in Batocabe slay

Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo (Photo from his Facebook account)

LEGAZPI CITY — The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has revoked the party’s nomination of Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo after he was accused of masterminding the killing of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort SPO2 Orlando Diaz.

Bautista Corpin Jr., Executive Director of Lakas-CMD, in his letter to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Law Department dated January 3, said the party was revoking the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance issued to Baldo who is seeking reelection as mayor of Daraga in May.

“Mr. Baldo is no longer the official candidate of Lakas-CMD for the position of Mayor of Daraga,” Corpin said in his letter addressed to Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, director of the Comelec Law Department.

The Philippine National Police has recommended the filing of double murder and six counts of frustrated murder charges against Baldo after an investigation implicated him in the killing.

Several suspects have also alleged that he was the brains behind the killing of Batocabe and Diaz in a Christmas event in Daraga, Albay, on December 22.

“Violence in any form and for whatever reason has no place in our democratic institutions. Regretfully, Lakas-CMD after deliberations have decided to revoke the nomination of  Mayor Baldo,” the statement said.

At the time of his death, Batocabe had expressed intention of running against Baldo. /cbb