The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, early Tuesday, at Camalig, Albay.
The town Mayor was arrested for the double murder of Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, Master Sergeant Orlando Diaz in December 2018. The two victims were shot during a Christmas gift-giving event in a village in Daraga.
The case was first heard in the Legazpi City court before the Supreme Court ordered its transfer in Manila in 2019. However, Baldo was granted temporary freedom from the Legazpi City Jail after the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 granted his bail petition.
On August 21, the Manila RTC Branch 3 ordered an arrest warrant against Baldo, for two counts of murder with no bail recommended.
The CIDG arrested Baldo at around 12:45 AM and was later brought to the CIDG-Field Unit Office in Albay for documentation.
In a statement by Baldo on Tuesday, he said that he will respect the court’s decision. He added that when his fellow Daragueños elected him as mayor, he made sure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities that came with the position.
“Kamo, mga kapwa ko Daragueños, an nagbalik sakon sa pwesto. Sa duwang tawn na pagsasala ko bilang Mayor san banwa, siniguro kong magibo an mga ipinangako ko nong eleksyon sa abot san sakon na makaya. Indi man kita nagpabaya san saton na obligasyon dangan responsibilidad,” Baldo’s statement on Facebook read.
(Kayong mga kapwa ko Daragueños, ang nag balik sa akin sa pwesto. Sa dalawang taon ko na paglilingkod bilang Mayor sa lugar, siniguro kong maipatupad ang mga ipinangako ko noong eleksyon sa abot ng aking makakaya. Hindi tayo nagpabaya sa ating obligasyon at responsiiblidad)
Moreover, he said that all challenges eventually pass and thanked his supporters.
Baldo is tagged as the mastermind for the deaths of the two victims in December 2018. He is currently detained at the police station in Camalig, Albay.
