Court frees ‘brains’ in Batocabe killing

Credit to Author: MA. REINA LEANNE TOLENTINO, TMT| Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2019 16:15:24 +0000

A court in Legazpi City has released former Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, who was tagged as the mastermind in the killing last year of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

Former Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo. PHOTO FROM BALDO’S FACEBOOK

The Legazpi City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 allowed Baldo to post bail, according to the Batocabe family.

Baldo is facing two counts of murder for the killing of Batocabe and his police escort, Senior Police Officer 1 Orlando Diaz, on Dec. 22, 2018.

Batocabe was shot dead after giving gifts to senior citizens and disabled persons in Daraga.

“Pinaghalu-halong galit, panlulumo at pagkagimbal ang nararamdaman ngayon ng aming pamilya sa kautusan ng Legazpi City RTC Branch 10 na palayain si Carl ‘Awin’ Baldo (Our family feels a mix of anger, shock and dejection by the decision of the Legazpi City RTC to release Carl ‘Alwin’ Baldo),” Justin Batocabe, the late lawmaker’s son, said in a statement on Saturday.

“Malinaw po ang tinutumbok ng mga ebidensya. Walang dudang si Awin Baldo ang nagpapatay sa aking ama (The evidence is clear. There is no doubt that it was Awin Baldo who ordered the killing of my father),” he added.

Baldo had denied involvement in the killing.

In its order dated Aug. 29, 2018, the court said it granted Baldo’s petition for bail because the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence against the accused.

“The evidence presented is not enough to convince the Court that evidence against the accused is strong enough to deny his motion for bail,” the court said. It pointed out that it merely resolved Baldo’s petition to post bail.

“This is but a preliminary matter and should not be considered by anyone as conclusive, or as a bar, that would prevent the court from making a final assessment of the evidence of the parties after a full-blown trial,” the court said.

Baldo was allowed to post P3 million for each count of murder.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. also opposed the ruling.

“We have put our faith in the system, but such an unjust ruling deserves to be called out. We strongly disagree with the grant of bail and hope that the judge reconsiders her decision so that justice may ultimately prevail,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Baldo surrendered to police officials in May, days after Judge Maria Theresa San Juan Loquillano issued a warrant for his arrest.

Baldo was tagged as the mastermind in the Batocabe slay by Henry Yuson, the alleged gunman, who also surrendered.

Yuson claimed the plot to kill Batocabe was hatched after the former lawmaker announced that he would run for mayor of Daraga in the May 2019 elections.

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