Raps filed versus suspects in killing of radioman

MANILA, Philippines -- Murder charges have been filed against a police inspector and his companions who were tagged in last year’s killing of a radio station executive in General Santos City, the Department of Justice announced over the weekend.

Charged before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 36 of General Santos City were Inspector Redempto “Boy” Acharon, a certain Gerry and several John Does for the killing of RMN-dxMD program director Dennis Cuesta, said Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, head of Task Force 211 that investigated the case.

The case was filed after two eyewitnesses positively identified Acharon as the one of two motorcycle-riding men who shot Cuesta while he was walking in a parking lot in General Santos City on Aug. 4 last year.

Cuesta was supposedly killed for his tirades against General Santos City officials involved in graft and corruption.

During the preliminary investigation, Acharon surfaced and filed his counter-affidavit before the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor of the DOJ.

Last Jan. 5, the investigating prosecutor ruled that probable cause exists to charge Acharon and several others for Cuesta’s killing.

Blancaflor said the RTC has issued arrest warrants for Acheron and the other accused.

“While (Cuesta’s killers) have been charged in court, their arrest is of primordial importance as they are considered threats to public safety and security. The final conviction of these perpetrators and masterminds shall hopefully become an effective deterrent to the spate of (mediamen’s) killings,” he said.

“Instead of conveniently blaming the government, let us try to work together to stop these political and media killings,” he added.

President Arroyo created Task Force 211 to investigate and solve killings and violent incidents involving members of the working press.