The suspected mastermind in the assassination of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe had also planned a hit on his predecessor, according to police, quoting a key witness.
At a press conference in Camp Crame on Monday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Amado Corpus said Emmanuel Judavar, former employee of Daraga, Albay, Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, had claimed that Baldo also wanted to have Gerry Jaucian, former Daraga mayor, killed.
Baldo had been Jaucian’s vice mayor and became mayor when Jaucian died of cancer in May 2018.
Corpus, quoting Judavar, said Baldo had planned to hire the same six-man hit squad that killed Batocabe for the hit on Jaucian.
The plot was not executed because Jaucian died of cancer, Corpus said.
Corpus gave details of Judavar’s accounts after reporters asked whether Baldo had a history of violence.
At the same press conference, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said Baldo was not on President Rodrigo Duterte’s narcolist and did not have any criminal record.
“We are not closing this investigation,” Albayalde said. “This case is solved but we do not consider it closed,” said the PNP chief.