PNP reveals mastermind behind Batocabe slay

Batocabe, who was eyeing the mayoral seat of Daraga, was killed along with his security escort, Senior Police Officer (SPO) I Orlando Diaz, after they attended a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Barangay Burgos. (File Photo: AKO BICOL Party List/Facebook)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, January 3, dropped the name of the mastermind behind the killing of AKO Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe — it was none other than the incumbent mayor of Daraga in Albay, Mayor Carlwyn Baldo.

PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde revealed this in a press conference in Camp Crame.

Albayalde told reporters that Baldo hired six gunmen for the assassination of Batocabe last December 22, the day of his wedding anniversary.

Batocabe, who was eyeing the mayoral seat of Daraga, was killed along with his security escort, Senior Police Officer (SPO) I Orlando Diaz, after they attended a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Barangay Burgos.

According to Albayalde, one of the six hired individuals, Christopher Cabrera Naval alias “Tuping,” surrendered to the PNP Intelligence Group last December 30 and disclosed information to the investigators regarding the congressman’s murder.

“The plan to assassinate Batocabe was hatched sometime in August 2018, when Batocabe announced in public his bid for the mayoral post of Daraga,” the top cop said.

Naval told the authorities that Baldo offered them five million pesos for Batocabe’s slay and paid an initial amount of P250,000 for the purchase of guns and motorcycle to be used for the crime.

The gunmen, Albayalde said, consisted of former military and paramilitary personnel and some communist rebels. Henry Yuson, a former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, was tagged as the main gunman who shot Batocabe with a .45-caliber pistol. Meanwhile, Rolando Arimado, also a former NPA rebel, served as a lookout and back-up gunman.

The PNP chief said cases of double murder and six counts of multiple frustrated murder were filed before provincial prosecutor’s office of Albay against Baldo and his cohorts.

Immediately effective today, the top cop also ordered the revocation of firearms licenses and Permits to Carry Firearms outside of Residence (PTCFOR) of Mayor Baldo and has already recommended the removal of the latter’s power over the local police in Daraga, Albay.

Although the mastermind has been revealed, Albayalde said that Batocabe’s case is not yet “closed” as some of the suspects are not yet arrested.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier raised the bounty for the arrest of Batocabe’s killers to P50-million.

During that time, the police have yet to find out the perpetrators, but the President already said that the lawmaker’s slay was “politically motivated,” saying that he joins Batocabe’s wife, Gerlie, in eyeing a certain politician who may be behind the assassination of the congressman.

[READ: Duterte increases bounty for the arrest of Batocabe killers to P50-million]