Daraga mayor: I did not kill Batocabe, SPO2 Diaz
Credit to Author: jespinosa| Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2019 09:50:50 +0000
MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay has asserted his innocence, claiming that he did not order the killing of Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe and police aide SPO2 Orlando Diaz.
“I did not order the deaths of anyone. I did not kill Cong. Batocabe and SPO2 Diaz,” Baldo said on Thursday, hours after the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed cases of double murder and six counts of frustrated murder against him.
“Indeed, this is a sad, woeful day as a malicious and great power has single-handedly eclipsed justice and due process today. Daraga is still mourning the loss of two of its sons, and now it has one more reason to grieve—the death of truth and justice,” he added.
Baldo was pinpointed by the PNP as the mastermind in the assassination of Batocabe — who was on his last term as Ako Bicol representative.
Batocabe was one of the three candidates for mayoralty of Daraga in the May 2019 polls, including Baldo, who is seeking re-election, and Daraga Vice Mayor Victor Perete.
The local chief executive insists that he is innocent, and that the true killers of Batocabe are still free.
“I assert my innocence. Let us not forget that while I am being used as a convenient scapegoat, those who are truly responsible for the crime remain free and blameless,” he said.
He also claimed that he is merely a fall-guy, because he was an “easy target” due to the upcoming electoral race.
“I am an easy target but that does not make me guilty of the crime. I am already being persecuted in the courts of public opinion. A trial by media is being held in front of every screen, constantly on repeat since (PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar) Albayalde’s statement was released this morning,” he noted.
“Neither of these are proof of my guilt. I did not order the deaths of anyone. I did not kill Cong. Batocabe and SPO2 Diaz,” he added.
Batocabe and Diaz were waiting outside a covered court after a charity event last December 22 when both were shot multiple times by six gunmen. They were brought to a hospital but were eventually declared dead.
Earlier, the PNP filed charges against Baldo before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Daraga, Albay, after Albayalde made the remarks. Prior to this development, Baldo already clarified that he has nothing to do with the killings. /je
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