MANILA, Philippines – Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo maintains his innocence in the killing of Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe.
In a press conference on Friday, Baldo appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to review the case and evidence presented, and to find the real perpetrators of the crime.
“Nananawagan ako sa ating mga kinauukulan lalo na higit sa ating Pangulong Duterte at sa ating Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra na basahin at rebyuhing mabuti ang kasong ito lalo’t higit ang mga nakalap na physical evidence ng PNP na tukuyin kung sino talaga ang mga taong nasa likod nito,” Baldo said.
(I appeal to authorities, especially to President Duterte and Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra to review my case, especially the physical evidence gathered by the Philippine National Police to find the real perpetrators of the crime)
Baldo is facing two counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder before the Legazpi City Regional Trial Court (RTC) in relation to the death of Batocabe.
READ: Daraga Mayor Baldo faces murder raps over Batocabe slay
Baldo was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Batocabe who was shot dead while attending a gift-giving event for senior citizens in Daraga town last December 22, 2018.
His security detail, PO1 Orlando Diaz, also died in the incident.
Batocabe was eyeing the mayoral seat of Daraga in the 2019 polls prior to his assassination.
READ: Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo named as mastermind in Rep. Batocabe’s slay
Baldo was arrested in January 2019 after unlicensed firearms were found inside his residence during a search operation.
He was later released after posting a bail of P3 million.
READ: Suspended Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo out on bail
“Inosente po ako at wala po akong kinalaman sa nasabing kaso. Bilang pulitiko, di ko po kailanman naging gawain na gamitan ng puwersa ang aking mga katunggali,” he said.
(I am innocent and I am not involved in the said case. As a politician, I have never used force against my rivals.)
Baldo also said that those behind the crime wanted to get rid of him although he refused to divulge any name.
“Habang lumalapit ang election ay dumadami po ang intelligence report na nagsasabing may mga taong nais akong patahimikin,” he said.
(As the local election nears, intelligence reports are piling up which state about the attempts of some people to silence me)
Atty. Merito Fernandez, Baldo’s lawyer, also insisted that the case should have been dismissed because of numerous inconsistencies made by witnesses and evidence gathered by investigators.
Fernandez also pointed out that the autopsy report conducted on Batocabe’s body does not match the testimony given by the alleged gunman, Henry Yuson, who said he shot the late lawmaker four times.
Yuson and four others, namely Christopher Naval, Jaywin Babor, Rolando Arimando and Emmanuelle Roselle were also charged with murder and attempted murder over Batocabe slay. – Robie de Guzman
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