Hard-hitting GenSan broadcaster a suicide?

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A hard-hitting veteran broadcaster here was found dead Wednesday afternoon, hanging from an ipil-ipil tree with a cord tied around his neck. Despite signs of an apparent suicide, his colleagues and relatives suspect foul play.

Cesar Lagare Sr., 54, manager of Radio Philippines’ Network (RPN) station dxDX and president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)-Socsksargen chapter, was found dead in a vacant lot 30 meters away from his home in Purok 19, Barangay Lagao.

A team of doctors, including one from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), are set to conduct an autopsy on Lagare’s body.

Mayor Adelbert Antonino personally sought an investigation into possible foul play behind Lagare’s death. Councilor Dominador Lagare, a close relative, also urged authorities to conduct a deeper probe.

Cesar Jr., the radioman’s eldest child, said they last saw their father going out of their house at about 11 a.m.

He said they prepared a special meal for him that noon but he did not show up.

"We later looked for him around the house and when we could not find him, we agreed that he might just be in a relative’s house nearby," he said.

But they were shocked when a neighbor informed them at about 4:30 p.m. that the elder Lagare had been found dead.

"He even joined us watching a live NBA basketball game in the morning and he seemed to enjoy it," Cesar Jr. said, adding that his father did not show any sign of distress or any hint that he would do "something terrible like taking his own life."

Ven Baring, a colleague at dxDX, said that a few days before his death, Lagare had repeatedly complained of severe stomach pain.

Last Friday, Lagare was confined in a hospital after suffering another attack of what was later found out to be an acute ulcer.

Lagare, though still weak, reported for work last Monday but did not finish his regular shows.

"He was really still in pain so he told me to take over his show on Nov. 1 because he would have a check-up in Davao City," Baring recalled.

Knowing Lagare’s "tested fighting stance," Baring said the illness could not likely make the former just take his own life.

Baring said he does not know of any individual or group who might be harboring any grudge against Lagare.

"He did his stuff clean and in a very professional manner. That’s why he was respected even by those he (criticized) on air," he added.

A close buddy, Andy Cruz of radio station dxGS, said Lagare had complained to him about his illness, but that he (Lagare) showed no sign that he could no longer bear it.

Lagare started his radio career in the early 80s as a reporter of station dxGS. He later transferred to the Catholic-run station dxCP.

In 1991, Lagare joined RPN as reporter/anchorman and became station manager in 1996.

Until his death, he hosted a popular morning show featuring his spunk and savvy in delivering commentaries, particularly his Visayan "editorial."

To his colleagues, he was simply "Kuya" or "Manong Cesar" who always gave everyone a big smile.