Palawan governor raises reward for info on broadcaster’s slay to P1 M

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes offered another P500,000 from the provincial government’s coffer for anybody who could give information leading to the arrest of radio broadcaster Fernando "Dong" Batul’s killers, raising the reward money to P1 million.

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn initially offered P500,000 from his own pocket as reward money for the speedy arrest of the victim’s gunmen last Monday.

Chief Superintendent Delfin Genio, Mimaropa (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) police director, said in an interview that they already released the cartographic sketches of the two gunmen based on the descriptions of witnesses.

Genio said they also recovered the motorcycle and other personal belongings of the suspects.

The items include a bloodied towel, a blue motorcycle, blue shirt, two live bullets for caliber .45 pistol, black jogging pants and a cap.

In an interview over GMA Network radio station dzBB, NBI Palawan chief Sonny Mangotara confirmed Genio’s statement and said that the workers found the items inside a truck parked inside the lumber yard along Malvar St., before noon on Monday.

Acting National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nestor Mantaring, said the other day that they have in custody a vital witness in the Batul killing.

Batul, 36, a commentator of local radio station dyPR and a former vice mayor of this city, was shot dead by two men on board a motorcycle at 6:35 a.m.

He sustained at least 12 gunshot wounds from a 9mm and caliber .45 pistols and was pronounced dead on arrival at the MMG-Palawan Cooperative Hospital.

Last month, two hand grenades were left in front of his house with a note warning that his family would be harmed if continues his critical commentaries. — With Evelyn Macairan, Cecille Suerte Felipe