Court orders arrest of accused in Batocabe double-murder case

MANILA, Philippines – A Manila court issued on Wednesday, August 21, a warrant for the arrest of Carlwyn Go Baldo, the accused in the double-murder case of Ako Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort Orlando Diaz in 2018.

The arrest order of acting Presiding Judge of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3 Acerey Pacheco said Baldo was not qualified for bail for the two counts of murder he faced.

Batocabe and Diaz were killed during a gift-giving event in Daraga town in Albay on December 22, 2018. At the time of his death, Batocabe was the Ako Bicol representative in the House.

The arrest order said Baldo could be found at Purok 8, Daraga, Albay in Bicol Region.

Baldo, the former mayor of Daraga town, was earlier allowed to post bail in the double-murder case when it was being heard in the Legazpi City RTC.

In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the venue of the criminal cases to Manila. – Rappler.com