Napolcom strips Daraga mayor of control over local police

As established in the investigation report of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Baldo masterminded the killing of Batocabe by utilizing the aid of six persons who turned out to be members of a private armed group which is also involved in contract killing as a gun-for-hire syndicate. (File photo: Awin Baldo/Facebook)

MANILA — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Tuesday ordered the withdrawal of deputation and the suspension of Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo’s control over the local police.

The Napolcom en banc, led by Interior and Local Government Secretary and chairman Eduardo Año, issued Resolution No. 2019-014, dated Jan. 7, which approved the withdrawal of the deputation of Mayor Baldo after he was identified as the principal suspect behind the assassination of Batocabe and also the death of his security escort, SPO2 Orlando Diaz 22 during a gift-giving event in the town last December 22.

As established in the investigation report of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Baldo masterminded the killing of Batocabe by utilizing the aid of six persons who turned out to be members of a private armed group which is also involved in contract killing as a gun-for-hire syndicate.

Napolcom Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer lawyer Rogelio T. Casurao said Baldo violated three of the four grounds for the withdrawal of the Napolcom deputation of local chief executives (LCEs): abuse of authority, providing material support to criminal elements, and engaging in acts inimical to national security or which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign.

Casurao said Baldo committed abuse of authority for employing confidential staff under fictitious names which is a blatant disregard of existing rules and regulations and his alleged act of utilizing a private armed group in contract killing as a gun for hire syndicate is clearly an act of providing material support to criminal elements, with the same likewise constituting engagement in an act which negates the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign.

The removal of the deputation power of Baldo was approved pursuant to the provisions of Section 65 of R.A. 8551 (PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998) and Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 99-010, as amended by MC 2001-003, which prescribes the guidelines in the exercise of delegated powers of LCEs over the local police units as Napolcom Deputies, and the procedures on the suspension/withdrawal and restoration of such deputation.

“The Napolcom also ordered the suspension of the duties, obligations, powers and prerogatives vested upon Mayor Baldo as deputized Napolcom representative,” Casurao said in a statement.

Under Section 51 (b) of R.A. 6975 (PNP Law) and Section 64 of R.A. 8551, LCEs are empowered to inspect police forces and units, conduct audit, and exercise other functions as may be authorized by the commission.

The PNP filed double murder and frustrated murder charges against Baldo and his alleged cohorts in Albay.

They will also prepare for the filing of appropriate charges against Baldo before the Office of the Ombudsman as instructed by Año.

Batocabe was supposed to run for mayor of Daraga in this year’s mid-term elections.