BICOL Police Regional Office Director Arnel Escobal expressed dismay on Thursday, September 5, over the possible release of former Daraga, Albay mayor Carlwyn Baldo from detention.

Baldo, primary accused in the killing of Ako-Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe and his aide, has been allowed to post bail.

“Well of course kasi talagang joint effort na lahat ng PNP units just to immediately arrest Baldo but bigla na lang magkakaroon na papalayain while the case is still pending. In fact na non-bailable naman ito,” he said.

The police, however, has asked the court to reconsider its decision granting bail to Baldo.

On August 29, a Legazpi court granted Baldo’s petition to bail after the prosecution failed to present enough evidence that would warrant the junking of the motion.

It also noted Baldo’s absence from the scene of the murder and the fact that the empty shells which were found at the scene did not match the firearms recovered in Baldo’s residence during a raid on January 22, 2019.

However, Escobal said Baldo has yet to be released despite readiness to post bail due to the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by the police.

“Still under detention si Carlwyn Baldo because although he was already granted bail but there was still no release order pa rin kasi nag-file ng MR ‘yung prosecution natin kaya supposed to be magkakaroon ng hearing tommorrow but I think the judge is not available so we are just waiting na mareset ito next Friday September 13,” he said.

Escobal maintained that the police have an “airtight case” against Baldo who allegedly hired the other suspects in the case to kill Batocabe. (SunStar Philippines)