Daraga mayor is Batocabe slay mastermind

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde warns against online romance. ANALY LABOR

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday named Daraga, Albay incumbent mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the ‘mastermind’ in the killing of AKO Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

Baldo hired seven people to kill Batocabe for a fee of P5 million, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing.

The gunmen are former military officials and members of New People’s Army, Albayalde said.

The PNP will file double murder charges against the suspects.

Batocabe, who was running for mayor of Daraga in next year’s mid-term elections, was gunned down on 22 December while he was distributing Christmas gifts to senior citizens and persons with disability at a barangay basketball court in Daraga.