Cops serve subpoena on Daraga mayor over Batocabe slay

Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo (Photo from his Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo has been asked to answer the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) over his alleged involvement in the murder of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz.

Chief Insp. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of Bicol Police Regional Office, told INQUIRER.net that a subpoena was served by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday.

Baldo’s mother received the subpoena at their residence.

The subpoena was issued by the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Albay, Calubaquib said.

The PNP earlier filed a case of double murder and six counts of frustrated homicide against Baldo and his six alleged accomplices.

Police earlier said the other suspects in the murder case have pointed to Baldo as the mastermind of the killing.

Baldo denied the accusation, claiming he was being used as a “convenient scapegoat.”

Batocabe was set to challenge Baldo for the mayoralty of Daraga in the 2019 elections, before he was gunned down with his police escort at a gift-giving event in Daraga on Dec. 22.

Diaz was posthumously promoted to Senior Police Officer 2, a rank higher, as is customary in the police, as well as in the military.

/atm