AKO-Bicol, son of slain Rep. Batocabe slam impending release of Daraga Mayor Baldo

MANILA, Philippines — The AKO-Bicol party-list and the son of slain Representative Rodel Batocabe on Saturday slammed the impending release of Daraga, Albay mayor Carlwyn Baldo, the alleged mastermind in the murder of the lawmaker and his police aide.

“We are shocked to learn that Legazpi City RTC Branch 10, on Aug. 30, 2019, ordered the release on bail of Baldo despite no less than all the accused-conspirators point to him as the mastermind of the killing,” AKO-Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. said in a statement.

“We cannot fathom how the judge could have made such a ruling when the evidence is overwhelming against Baldo,” Garbin added.

Baldo and five other suspects were slapped with double murder and six attempted murder charges for the killing of Batocabe and his police aide, SPO2 Orlando Diaz on Dec. 22, 2018.

READ: Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, police escort killed in Albay

“This ruling is not only an injustice to the memory of Cong. Rodel but is a chilling reminder that justice is difficult to obtain and that crime does pay,” Garbin said.

Batocabe’s son Justin likewise slammed the court decision, adding that it was a big blow to his family and the justice system.

“Malinaw po ang tinutumbok ng mga ebidensiya. Walang dudang si Awin Baldo ang nagpapatay sa aking ama,” Justin said in a statement.

(The evidence is clear. There is no doubt that Awin Baldo ordered my father’s death)

“Sa paglabas ng di makatarungang desisyong ito, sa pagpayag na makapagpiyansa si Baldo, tila sinasabi ng huwes na kulang pa ang testimonya at ang mga ebidensiya, gaya ng mga nakumpiskang baril, na nagdidiin kay Baldo,” he added.

(With this unfair decision, which allowed Baldo to post bail, it appears that the court still finds the presented evidence and testimonies lacking such as the confiscated guns which point to Baldo)

Arguing that murder is a non-bailable offense, Justin further asked: “Bakit pahihintulutang makalaya ang isang mamamatay tao?”

(Why is a killer allowed to be released?)

“Malinaw na pagpapahirap po ito sa mga taong nais makamit ang hustisya at pagbasura sa mga nakamit ng mga nag-imbestigang awtoridad,” he said.

(It is clear that this is to add to the suffering of people who fought to get justice and the dismissal of all that what gathered in the investigation)

“Nanawagan po ako sa ating hudikatura, ibalik ang tiwala ng tao sa hustisya.”   /muf

(I am calling for a restoration of the people’s trust on the justice system)