THE PHILiPPINE STAR

i THE PHILIPPINE STAR

L ngws ,' ,;i

i TH'URSDNV I' SEPTEMBER 5, 2q.19

BY CET DEMATERA
Iall
LEGAZPI CITY - Former Daraga- T-n-lyor 94"U1
nJa", ttt" alleged mastermind in tha l{i"g of Ako Bi.
;J;rrty-iir. tr"p. Rodet Batocabe and his police esryrt'
p;;i;a 6ail of rg'.2 miilion at a cogrt in this city yesterday.
Baldo's legal counsel Merito bail, saying the Prosecution
Fernandez p"osted the amount failed tb convinCe the court
in surety bond or in the form that thE evidence of guilt
of Ut a titles and otherProof of against him was strong. '
"
property ownershiP of Baldo's Loouillano said the
family. weighi of evidence required
H6wever, Baldo has Yet forbail purposes is not Proot
to be released from Prison as bevond- reasonable doubt,
Regional Trial Court Branch L0 but strong evidence of guilt.
]udge Maria Theresa Loquil- Alawjier had earlier said
lano is on official leave. Baldo's release would be
According to rePorts gath- faster"if-the bail is Paid in
ered by the StnR" Loqrrillano cash. hIe said Paling in
would return ol MondaYt sureW bond is "tedious."
Bris. Gen. Arnel Escobal, The court recorrunended
Bicol iolice director, said the bait of P6 million if Paid in
court has yet to resolve the 1no, . cash.
tion for reconsideration filed Pt.rilippine National Police
bv the prosecution. spokesman Brig. Gen. Ber-
' Batocabe's familY had earlier' nara Banac said the PNP is
said it would also file Pe4urJ monitoring the situation in
charges against the susPects Darasa to prevent violence
who-recanted their testimo- betwEen tfie relatives and
nies after receiving the reward supporters of Batocabe and
glve$ by the police. Baldo.
- -We-prePared a welcoine .Batocabe and his Police
^We escort Orlando Dlaz were
party... reallY exPected
his ielease today," Baldo's shot dead after attending a
supporters told The STAR gift-giving event forsenior
yeSt^erday as theY exP.ressed Ctizens in BarangaY Burgos
hisappoihtment that the. for- in Decernber.
mer mavor would remdin in The supPosed Plot to kill
iail even though the release Batocabe was hitched in
order had been signed. August last Year when he
In a L[-page decision is- announced his Plan to run
- sued last Frid'aY, Loquillano for mayor of Daiaga: -
granted Baldo's motion to Post - With Emmanuel TuPas
\pAqg - tlu