MANILA, Philippines – Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, the alleged mastermind in the killing of AKO Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe, has been arrested by police on Tuesday, January 22.

The police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) found Baldo inside his residence in Baldo Compound in Barangay Tagas, Daraga, with allegedly illegal firearms. 

During the raid on Tuesday afternoon, the CIDG recovered the following from Baldo’s residence:

• A caliber .45 pistol with serial number 924173
• A caliber .45 pistol TM Govt model with serial number 517381, loaded with one live ammo
• A magazine assy for Uzi Machine Pistol loaded with 7 live ammos
• 8 live ammos for a caliber .45 pistol
• A live ammo for an M16

Cops also confiscated Baldo’s white Isuzu Alterra, which was the subject of the arrest warrant signed by Legazpi City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Elmer Lanuzo.

Baldo is the last prime suspect in the Batocabe killing to be taken into police custody. Six other suspects either surrendered on their own or were arrested weeks after the killing. 

The Philippine National Police earlier announced that most of the suspects point to Baldo as the one who allegedly orchestrated the killing of Batocabe. Batocabe was supposed to run against Baldo for the mayoralty of Daraga in the May 2019 elections.

Baldo has maintained his innocence in the case. – with a report from Rhaydz Barcia/Rappler.com