Batocabe slay case: Court bars Mayor Baldo from leaving country

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 6 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – The Legazpi City Regional Trial Court on Friday barred Daraga City Mayor Carlwyn Baldo from leaving the country.

Baldo is tagged as the brains behind the killing of Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe in December last year.

He was arrested on January 22 after authorities seized high powered firearms and ammunition from his residence.

Baldo, however, was taken to hospital due to hyperventilation.

“We received word that the Regional Trial Court at Legazpi City has issued a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Mayor Carlwyn Baldo in relation to the Batocabe case,” Justice Undersecretary and DOJ Spokesman Mark Perete told reporters.

On Jan. 7, the OIC Provincial Prosecutor of Albay applied for a PHDO against Mayor Baldo and five other individuals in relation to the murder complaint filed against them which is currently under preliminary investigation.

The DOJ has no authority to issue a hold departure order (HDO) or bar a suspect from leaving the country.

The courts issue an HDO once a criminal complaint has been received.

But the Supreme Court has allowed the DOJ to seek a PHDO from the courts to prevent a suspect to a criminal offense from escaping possible prosecution. / gsg