2 suspects identified in shooting of Iligan radio commentator

ILIGAN CITY – The police have identified at least two of the three suspects in yesterday’s shooting of a radio commentator here.

Police Senior Inspector Venancio Reuyan said they are withholding the names of the suspects in the slay attempt of Jose Pantoja, a radio commentator, pending the filing of the case at the city prosecutor’s office and the issuance of the warrants of arrest today.

The police immediately organized a team composed of operatives of Task Force Usig, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID) that raided the suspects’ safehouse last night in Barangay Tipanoy.

The suspects however eluded arrest.

The two suspects were identified based on the testimonies of at least six witnesses. A third suspect was also identified but his role in the shooting is still being determined.

A hot pursuit operation is ongoing, according to P/Superintendent Leonie Roy Ga, CIID chief.   

Two masked men riding in tandem on a motorcycle shot Pantoja three times after he dropped his daughter off at her school at Tibanga highway.

Pantoja suffered three gunshot wounds in the stomach from a .45 caliber pistol based on the bullet shells recovered at the scene of the shooting.

Also recovered was another .45 caliber pistol apparently owned by Pantoja who was not able to return fire.

Senior Superintendent Virgilio Ranes said they will look into all angles to determine the motive of the shooting.

Dr. Abner de la Cruz of the Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital where Pantoja was rushed said only one bullet was removed during the operation yesterday.

Another bullet is still embedded somewhere inside the stomach of the victim.

However, he said that the victim is now conscious and doctors are monitoring his condition closely.

Meanwhile, the Cagayan de Oro Press Club in a statement said the shooting of Pantoja was work-related. Media clubs in this city and nearby cities, as well as local government officials, condemned the shooting.