Daraga mayor: 'I’m innocent, a convenient scapegoat'

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Accused as the mastermind in the killing of Ako Bicol party-list congressman Rodel Batocabe and his bodyguard, Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo denied the allegation, claiming that he is merely being used as a “convenient scapegoat” by those truly responsible for the crime.

“I assert my innocence. Let us not forget that while I am being used as a convenient scapegoat, those who are truly responsible for the crime remain free and blameless,” Baldo, 44, a member of Lakas-CMD seeking reelection as mayor of Daraga in Albay, said.

He said in a prepared statement read to the media last night at his office in Daraga that a “great injustice has been done, not only to Cong. Batocabe and his bodyguard Senior Police Officer 2 Orlando Diaz, but also to their families, to the victims who were caught in the line of fire, and to the people.

“In our quest for justice, let us avoid committing injustice,” Baldo lamented.

He said although he is an easy target, “that does not make me guilty of the crime.”

Baldo said he is already being persecuted in the court of public opinion.

He vowed to continue holding office while defending himself in court.

The Daraga mayor requested not to be asked yet about the allegations against him because he has yet to read the police complaint.

“Upon the advise of my legal counsel, I will refrain from further discussing this matter until we have properly and formally received our copy of the complaint,” Baldo said.

Supt. Dennis Balla, Daraga police chief, said that complaints of double murder and frustrated murder were filed yesterday against Baldo and the other suspects at the Albay Provincial Prosecutor’s Office by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Batocabe headed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Baldo is also engaged in carbon mining and handicraft exportation.

He entered politics in 2007, when he ran and won as provincial board member in the Second District of Albay.

Baldo ran for mayor of Daraga in 2010 but lost to Gerry Jaucian.

He ran again for mayor in 2013, but lost again to the same opponent. In 2016, he ran as vice mayor of Daraga and won.

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