MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it would file administrative cases against Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, the alleged mastermind in the killing of AKO Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Chief Supt. Amador Corpus said they would file an administrative case against Baldo fo allegedly committing 'conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service' for his alleged role in Batocabe's Dec. 22 murder.

The administrative charge was based on the two counts of murder and 6 counts of frustrated murder filed against Baldo, pending at the Albay Provincial Prosecutor's Office, Corpus said.

Batocabe was shot dead on Dec. 22 after he attended a gift-giving event in Daraga, where he was planning to challenge reelectionist Baldo for the mayoralty. His police escort was also slain in the attack.

Suspects who surrendered to police have pointed to one mastermind in the slay.

The CIDG said it would file another administrative case against Baldo for allegedly violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly hiring assassins using local government funds.

Suspect-turned-witness Emmanuel Judavar had told police he was hired as confidential staff under Baldo's office using the name Troy Jude Magistrado.

“Sumasahod po ako sa munisipyo subalit pinapipirma lang kami sa isang payroll report sa ilalim ng pangalang Troy Jude J. Magistrado,” Judavar said in his affidavit.

(I get a salary at the municipal hall but we are just made to sign a payroll report under the name Troy Jude J. Magistrado.)

Self-confessed gunman Christopher Naval alias Tuping said he was also part of the town's payroll, receiving a P7,000 monthly salary.

“Pinapapirma lamang kami sa DTR bago kami sumahod at sa isang payroll document tuwing kami ay kukuha ng sahod,” Naval’s statement read.

(We are just asked to sign the DTR (daily time record) before we get paid and on a payroll document every time we get our salary.)

Corpus said the suspects and their families were listed as ghost employees of the Daraga Municipal Hall.

The CIDG Regional Field Unit in Bicol has asked for a copy of the accounts and payroll records of all job order employees of the Daraga municipality, but they received word that they have to seek Baldo's approval.

It has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman that Baldo be meted an immediate preventive suspension for six months and his eventual dismissal from the service.

Murder charges were earlier filed against Baldo and the men he allegedly hired to kill Batocabe.

• PNP tags Daraga mayor as Batocabe slay mastermind

Meanwhile, Corpus confirmed police would also file a case against Ramon Marbella for being a co-conspirator, as he was the driver who picked up the suspects after Batocabe's murder.

Marbella was also allegedly the one who gave P97,000 to suspect Henry Yuson’s live-in partner after Batocabe was killed.

Corpus said they are glad the Department of Justice issued a lookout bulletin order against the suspects, including Baldo, Concepcion gun-for-hire group leader Gilbert Concepcion, and his brother Agaton.

The order places immigration officials on alert if any of the suspects leave the country.

• Immigration lookout order out vs Daraga mayor, 8 other suspects in Batocabe slay

“That assures us that the suspects will stay here. Lahat naman sa kanila (All of them) except for the mastermind is in the custody of police authorities," he said.

He said members of the Concepcion group have pending arrest warrants from other cases.