THE Camarines Sur Prosecutor's Office has ordered the filing of two counts of murder against Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlywn Baldo and five others for the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, Orlando Diaz, on December 22, 2018.
Batocabe succumbed to eight gunshot wounds during an ambush while he was attending an event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities at the Burgos Elementary School in Barangay Burgos, Daraga, Albay.
Aside from Baldo, indicted for the twin killings are Christopher Naval, alias Tuping; Emmanuel A. Rosello, alias Boboy; Jaywin I. Babor, alias Gie; Henry G. Yuson, alias Rommel Yuson; and Rolando Arimado, alias Lando.
Prosecutors said the plan to kill Batocabe was hatched sometime in June 2018 at Baldo's compound and the group later moved to a safehouse in Villahermosa, Daraga, Albay.
The group then regularly monitored Batocabe's movement before deciding to attack.
Baldo's group is also facing charges for attempted murder after bystanders Nelia Millena, Gregorio Mediavillo, Jesus Medez, Florencita Mendones, Ellen Mansos, and Haydie Llorca were wounded during the shootout between the gunman and authorities.
Prosecutors, however, cleared Baldo's driver, Ramon Marbella, alias Mamo, who drove the vehicle (Isuzu Altera) owned by the mayor's wife and who gave money to the wife of the gunman after the incident.
"His mere obedience to an order or instruction of his employer, being his driver, does not make him liable with the other respondents," the prosecutors ruled. (PNA)