By Chito Chavez
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it would revoke the authority of Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo over the local police after being tagged as the mastermind in the slaying of AKO Bicol party-list Congressman Rodel Batocabe.
Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said he would convene the National Police Commission (Napolcom) which he heads to finalize the stripping of Baldo’s deputation powers.
In commending the police for a job well done in solving the case in record time, Año said they have an "air-tight case" against Baldo that will come in handy during court proceedings.
Baldo is now facing double murder and multiple frustrated murder charges along with the alleged gunmen.
But Baldo has continuously denied his involvement in the killing.
Batocabe has announced his candidacy for Daraga mayor against re-electionist Baldo in the midterm elections in May 2019.
The slain lawmaker was distributing Christmas gifts in his hometown in Daraga, Albay on December 22 when he and his police escort were gunned down by at least six gunmen.
Año said the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were "committed to dismantle private armed groups of politicians as well as revoke the firearms licenses of those found to be violating the law."
"It does not matter if you are a congressman, governor or mayor; no one is above the law and we will implement the law without fear or favor," Año said.
Año said he has placed the police on heightened alert to monitor the activities of all political candidates in the coming elections
"Let this, therefore, serve as a stern warning against all politicians not to intimidate, harass, or do violence against their political opponents in the forthcoming elections, otherwise the DILG-PNP will run after them and ensure that justice will be served," he added.
The DILG chief also warned politicians never to abuse their local police powers as the full force of the law will surely catch up with them.
He cited the case of Guimbal town mayor Oscar Garin who mauled a police officer in tandem with his son Iloilo Rep. Richard Garin.
The DILG had earlier revoked Garin's deputation powers.