POLICE officers arrested Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo early Tuesday in connection with the killing of Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort in 2018.
In a report, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said its operatives from its field unit in Albay province and the local police arrested Baldo along Nuyda Ave St. in Camalig town at about 12:45 a.m.
The mayor has an arrest warrant for two counts of murder issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3 on Aug. 21, with no bail recommended, in connection with the killing of Batocabe and M/Sgt. Orlando Diaz during a gift-giving event in a remote village in Daraga.
Baldo was then taken to the CIDG-Field Unit office in Albay.
Baldo was accused of plotting the killing of the congressman who was then planning to challenge him in the mayoralty race.
The case was first heard before a court in Legazpi City but in 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the trial in Manila.
In September 2019, Baldo was released from the Legazpi City Jail after the Manila RTC Branch 10 granted his bail petition. (PNA)
