Task force joins probe on radioman's killing

Government agencies have joined hands in investigating the murder of a radio commentator in Northern Samar last Tuesday night.

A source said Task Force 211 is now closely coordinating with local authorities to identify those behind the killing of Leo Mila, a radio announcer of 104.5 Radyo Natin.

Task Force 211, under the supervision of Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, investigates unexplained killings and is composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies.

Task Force 211 is different from Task Force Usig, which the PNP created to address killings of militants and journalists.

A police officer said Mila, who was ambushed near his office in Sitio Napares, San Roque, Northern Samar, had been critical of the forced taxation by local New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“Although he was an anchor of an FM station, he managed to air his criticisms against the NPA, and that was one of the angles being considered,” said the police officer.

Meanwhile, police said charges have been filed against two suspects in the killing of another radioman, Ariceo Padrigao, a block-timer commentator of dxRS Radyo Natin, who was gunned down in front of the Bukidnon State University in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

Charged with murder were Benjamin Palarca and Ariel Degamo, who were identified by witnesses from the rogues’ gallery of the local police.

The charges were filed through the efforts of Task Force 211 and the Gingoog City police.

“Palarca and Degamo were reportedly guns-for-hire, and police are now waiting for their warrant of arrest,” a police officer said.

Padrigao had just brought his daughter to school when two motorcycle-riding men shot him.

Padrigao was the seventh journalist murdered since January and the 54th since President Arroyo assumed office in 2001.