Town mayor surrenders over double murder charges

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

EMBATTLED Mayor Carlwyn “Awin” Baldo of Daraga town voluntarily surrendered to the Camalig Municipal Police Station in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mayor Awin Baldo was accompanied by his brother, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr., when he surrendered following his alleged involvement in the killing of Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police aide, Master Sergeant Orlando Diaz, on December 22, 2018.

Baldo’s surrender came after the issuance of an arrest warrant by Acting Presiding Judge Acerey C. Pacheco of Branch 3, Regional Trial Court (RTC) in the National Capital Region (NCR), on August 21, 2024.

Baldo is facing double murder charges for the alleged killings of Batocabe and Diaz during a Christmas gift-giving event at the covered basketball court in Burgos village, Daraga town.

After his surrender, Baldo issued a statement on his Facebook page, urging the people of Daraga to respect the rule of law.

“My personal experience is not new. As always, we will respect the court’s decision. My fellow Daragueños, you were the ones who gave me a mandate to return to public office. In my two years as mayor of our town, I have ensured that I carried out my responsibilities to the best of my ability. We have not neglected our obligations and responsibilities,” he said.

“Indeed, trials come, but they often pass. Just like before, we will get through this. In the meantime, I will face it with strength and trust in God’s guidance. To those who continue to believe in me, please pray for me. I would like to express my sincere and profound gratitude for your unwavering support. Thank you very much. As always, no matter what happens, we just keep going. I leave everything to the Lord,” he added in the local dialect.

Police Brig. General Andre P. Dizon, Bicol PNP Regional Director, confirmed that Mayor Baldo voluntarily surrendered to the PNP Camalig at about 12:55 AM on August 27, 2024.

“This surrender follows the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the CIDG on August 21, 2024, in connection with two counts of murder related to the deaths of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, SPO1 Orlando Diaz,” Dizon said.

“Following his surrender, Baldo underwent standard booking procedures and was informed of his constitutional rights. We affirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law. All legal protocols were carefully followed, with a focus on ensuring that the rights of the accused were fully respected throughout the process,” Dizon added.

Lawyer Justin Batocabe, the eldest son of the slain lawmaker Rodel Batocabe, expressed gratitude to the PNP and CIDG for their efforts in arresting Baldo.

“We are very happy and would like to thank the PNP and CIDG for their hard work in capturing Baldo. We would also like to thank the Court of Appeal for overturning the grant of bail, the Supreme Court for affirming the CA decision, and Judge Acerey Pacheco for the timely issuance of the warrant of arrest. We hope this is the start of a long road towards justice,” he told Bicol Mail in an interview.

However, supporters of Mayor Baldo and some residents of Daraga believe that he is a fall guy and that the real perpetrators or masterminds behind the killing of Batocabe remain at large.

Batocabe was visiting Burgos village in Daraga to personally oversee a Christmas gift-giving event in 2018, intended for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

After the event, Batocabe and his police aide were shot by four gunmen. At the time, Batocabe was serving his third term as a party-list representative and was running for the mayoral post in Daraga in the 2019 elections, while Baldo was seeking re-election.