Mayor linked to solon’s slay freed on bail

OUT ON BAIL Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay province, leaves the court premises in Legazpi City on Wednesday after posting P3-million bail on gun charges. Presiding Judge Maria Theresa San Juan-Loquillano issued the release order, citing his lowered flight risk. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

LEGAZPI CITY — A mayor suspected of plotting the murder of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe in December last year walked out of his detention cell on Wednesday after posting P3-million bail on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Mayor Carlwyn “Awin” Baldo of Daraga town in Albay province was arrested by  Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) officers, who raided his house in Barangay Tagas, Daraga, on Jan. 22.

The next day, Baldo was taken to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital here when he suffered an asthma attack and hypertension while in CIDG custody. He was brought back to the Legazpi police station for detention upon his discharge from the hospital on Feb. 4.

Double murder, homicide

Aside from the gun charges, Baldo is facing cases of double murder and six counts of frustrated homicide.

Suspected gunmen identified the mayor as the mastermind in the killing of Batocabe and his police escort, SPO4 Orlando Diaz, in a Christmas gift-giving event in Barangay Burgos, Daraga, on Dec. 22 last year.

Baldo has denied any involvement, saying he is being used as a “convenient scapegoat.”

Batocabe was aspiring for the Daraga mayoral seat, along with Vice Mayor Victor Perete, while Baldo was seeking reelection in May.

Batocabe wife, P3-M bail

The party-list lawmaker’s wife, Gertrudes Batocabe, has taken her husband’s place as candidate for mayor.

Baldo was allowed to post bail while his case was undergoing preliminary investigation.

Presiding Judge Maria Theresa San Juan-Loquillano of the Regional Trial Court Branch 10 ordered the mayor’s release, citing the “low possibility” of him leaving the country while his case was pending.

The release followed a hold-departure order on Baldo that was issued by another court, RTC Branch 3, on Jan. 25.

“In view of the earlier issuance of a precautionary hold-departure order, the probability of flight has been considerably lowered,” Loquillano said.

Conditions

The court also ordered Baldo to “appear in court whenever required” and to report weekly to the CIDG office or the Philippine National Police regional director in Bicol, and “refrain from talking about the case in his campaign sorties or with media.”

He was directed to “immediately turn himself once a criminal case is filed against him in court without need for the court to summon him or issue a warrant for his arrest.”

Violation of these terms would cancel Baldo’s bail and a warrant of arrest would be issued against him, the court said.

Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, police spokesperson, said “the PNP bows to the majesty of the law and accepts the court decision.”

The PNP, Banac said, “shall monitor his movements from time to time and account for his presence during court hearings.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bicol said Baldo could reclaim his post as municipal mayor anytime after posting bail.

Anthony Nuyda, DILG regional director, said he would issue a memorandum to notify the municipal council, along with court documents that Baldo’s “temporary incapacity has been lifted” because of his detention.

Daraga Vice Mayor Perete took over the mayoral post after Baldo’s arrest. —With a report from Jaymee T. Gamil