The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats has withdrawn its support for Daraga, Albay, Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as its official candidate for the mid-term election, after the local chief executive was linked to the murder of his rival, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.
In a letter dated Jan. 3 to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the party’s executive director, Bautista Corpin Jr. said Lakas-CMD has revoked its certificate of nomination and acceptance for Baldo.
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Copies of the letter were also sent to the provincial election supervisor and municipal election officer of Albay and Daraga, respectively.
The party’s decision came after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde tagged Baldo as the one who ordered Batocabe killed.
Batocabe and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz were gunned down on Dec. 22 after a gift-giving event for senior citizens in Barangay Burgos in his hometown of Daraga.
Batocabe had earlier filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of Daraga, pitting him against Baldo.
“Lakas-CMD strongly condemns the killings of Ako Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe and his security aide. Violence in any form and for whatever reason has no place in our democratic institutions,” the party said in its letter.
READ: Batocabe slay: 2 more suspects surrender
Acting Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said he was confident that the case of double murder and multiple counts of frustrated murder against Baldo would stand in court, given the strong testimonial evidence provided by key witnesses.
On Thursday, Henry Yuson, a former communist rebel turned militiaman surrendered and confessed to killing Batocabe on orders of Baldo.
“I was just hired to kill congressman Rodel Batocabe on orders of Mayor Baldo,” Yuson said as he apologized to the lawmaker’s family.
Two other key witnesses, Emmanuel Bonita Judavar, who took part in planning the killing, and Christopher Naval, a trusted aide of Baldo, said the mayor had offered them P5 million to kill Batocabe.
Baldo has denied the accusations and said he was being used as a scapegoat, but Año played down his denial.
“You know, denial is not a ground for a good defense. The court will take care of that, but the evidence is very strong,” he said.
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Aside from criminal charges, Baldo will also face an administrative case for grave abuse, misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public official and betrayal of public trust, Año said.
Albayalde shared Año’s view, saying he did not expect Baldo to confess.
“No one would admit to the crime, especially with this kind of seriousness,” Albayalde said.
“Remember murder is without bail, double murder at that and six counts of frustrated murder. He will have his time in court, he will be given due process I am sure,” Albayalde added.
On Saturday, the last two remaining suspects in Batocabe slay—Rolando Arimado and Danilo Muella–surrendered to the police in Masbate and Bicol, a day after Yuson yielded and owned up to the killing.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said they have accounted for all six6 suspects in the double murder case.
“They gave their testimonies separately and on separate occasions, but one thing that stood out during this investigation, during their interview and revelations is the fact that they are pointing to only one mastermind,” Durana said.
Durana said it would be up to the court to issue a warrant of arrest for the mayor.
“We have a very airtight case so far against all the suspects including the mastermind, but then again it’s now up to the court to appreciate all the pieces of evidence that we have submitted,” Durana said.
