Justice chief denies insinuation of politics in murder case vs Daraga mayor

BAGUIO, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday denied insinuations that a ranking Department of Justice official had a hand in filing charges against Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo.

In a message to reporters, Guevarra said that allegations of Baldo’s camp insinuating that Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete interfered in the investigation into the killing of Rep. Rodel Batocabe (AKO Bicol party-list) are “totally unfounded.”

“Usec Perete has no involvement whatsoever in operations of the prosecution service, which is under the supervision of another undersecretary,” Guevarra added.

The justice secretary was reacting to reports quoting Merito Lovenzky Fernandez, head of Baldo’s legal team, that the case against the Daraga mayor is highly politicized.

Lovenzky was also quoted in reports as pointing to Perete being a first cousin of Daraga Vice Mayor Victor Perete.

But Guevarra stressed that the justice undersecretary being a relative of the town official is “is purely [coincidental].”

“He has never talked about Mayor Baldo’s cases with anyone, much less the investigating panel,” the justice chief also said.

The DOJ charged Baldo with two counts of murder and six counts of frustrated murder before the Legazpi City regional trial court over the death of Batocabe and his security aide last December.

Also charged were alleged gunman Henry Yuson; Christopher Naval, Baldo’s security aide; Emmanuel Rosillo; Jaywin Babor; Henry Tyson; and Rolando Arimado.

Danilo Luella was charged as an accomplice.

Baldo was arrested in January after unlicensed firearms were reportedly recovered during a raid on his house.

He has denied ordering the assassination of Batocabe.