Cagayan exec on slay raps: I'm innocent

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – “My conscience is clear. I am innocent of the charges.”

Thus said this city’s vice mayor, Danilo Baccay, on allegations implicating him in last May’s killing of suspected guns-for-hire, which he described as baseless and unfounded. 

The Commission on Human Rights’ regional office based here clarified the other day that it did not include Baccay in its findings for multiple murder submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman. 

Baccay, elder brother of Cagayan Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo Baccay, said the accusations against him were all based on perjured statements by supposed witnesses, manipulated by his political detractors. 

“Do you think I am capable of doing such evil things? In fact, the CHR has already cleared me of any hand in the case,” he said.

CHR special investigator Antonino Cruz said it was not their office but the victims’ relatives who included Baccay in the complaint sheet for five counts of murder and grave abuse of authority before the Ombudsman. 

The CHR said it only named Abra police director Alexander Rafael and four still unidentified members of the regional police intelligence unit in the charge sheet it submitted to the Ombudsman.