6 suspects tag Baldo as mastermind
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2019 16:01:18 +0000
BATOCABE
All the six suspects tagged in the Dec. 22 assassination of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort SPO2 Orlando Diaz are pointing to Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind, Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police, said yesterday.
Durana said that the confessions made by the six suspects are consistent with the path of the investigation being conducted by the police: That Batocabe was murdered to eliminate competition in the mayoral race in Daraga in the midterm elections in May.
“They gave their testimonies separately and on separate occasions, one thing stood out in their revelations. The fact they are only pointing to one mastermind,” said Durana.
The PNP got a good lead in the probe while pursuing the political angle of the murder when they tried their luck on Emmanuel Judavar whom they know to be part of security team of Baldo.
When the probers met Judavar, they found out that he had severed ties with Baldo and was afraid of becoming the next target after the killing of Batocabe.
The investigators also found out that Judavar was part of the plan as early as August to kill Batocabe after he announced his mayoral bid.
Judavar’s confession was backed by Christopher Naval, the chief security aide of Baldo, after his surrender. Naval allegedly confessed to buying the two motorcycles used as getaway vehicles by gunmen Henry Yuson and Rolando Arimado.
Danilo Muella, who provided the two guns; Emmanuel Rosello, the driver of one of the two motorcycle; and, the other driver Jaywin Babor, all corroborated the testimony of Judavar and Naval.
Baldo reportedly offered P5 million for the hit on Batocabe and gave an initial P250,000 to obtain all the materials needed for the assassination.
The gunman, Yuson, told police that he felt he and his team who pulled off the assassination was duped since the P4.75-million balance was never given to them.
“All of those involved felt that they were double-crossed. The fact that they were not also professional hit men would make them very easy to give in during the investigation,” said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano.
Durana said the confessions they got from those who participated made their case airtight.
“It’s now up to the court to appreciate all the pieces if evidence that we have submitted but we are quite confident that we have solved the case,” said Durana.
He said that they are now waiting for the decision of the court for possible issuance of the arrest warrant.
Two cases of murder and six counts of frustrated murder have been filed against Baldo and the six other suspects.
The National Police Commission, headed by Ano, with PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, is expected to meet today to decide on the recommendation made by the police to strip Baldo of power over the local police.
The PNP leadership had cancelled all the gun privileges extended to Baldo, who, in turn, was forced to surrender all his guns.
Ano said administrative cases are in the process of filing before the Ombudsman against Baldo.
And should the cases are filed, Ano said they expect Baldo to be booted out as mayor of Daraga.
“The administrative cases are being filed in the Ombudsman so we can request immediately the preventive suspension of the mayor,” said Ano.
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