Daraga Mayor Carlywyn Baldo was arrested early Tuesday morning in Camalig, Albay, over his alleged involvement in the 2018 assassination of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort. The arrest was carried out by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
According to the CIDG, authorities served the arrest warrant to Mayor Baldo at approximately 12:45 a.m. He was accompanied by his legal counsel during the arrest and subsequently transported to the CIDG Albay office for documentation and further processing.
This arrest follows a recent decision by the Regional Trial Court – National Capital Region to issue a new warrant against Baldo. He is one of five accused in the double murder case, for which no bail has been recommended.
Representative Batocabe and his aide, Master Sergeant Orlando Diaz, were tragically shot while attending a holiday gift-giving event in Daraga in December 2018. Despite the allegations, Baldo has consistently denied any involvement in the crime.
Previously, Baldo was arrested but granted temporary release in September 2019 after posting bail.