Daraga Mayor Baldo surrenders to Legazpi City court

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay surrendered on Friday, after a court earlier issued a warrant for his arrest in relation to the murder of Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort.

Col. Wilson Asueta, director of Albay police, said Baldo surrendered at around 8:30 a.m. at the Legazpi Regional Trial Court Branch 10 accompanied by his family and lawyer.

Baldo’s surrender came two days before the May 13 elections. It was also the Legazpi Regional Trial Court Branch 10 which issued the warrant against him for double murder and attempted murder complaints.

“Mayor Baldo will be committed in Legazpi City Jail. Arraignment is set on May 30, 2019,” Asueta said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

Baldo is being tagged as the brains of the murder of Batocabe and his police escort Senior Master Sergeant Orlando Diaz during a gift-giving event in Daraga on December 22. The incident also wounded others present in the scene.

At the time of his death, Batocabe was running against Baldo in his re-election bid as Daraga mayor.

Baldo has denied any involvement in the murder of Batocabe and Diaz. / muf