Suspects in Kidapawan radio commentator’s murder charged

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — Three suspects in the killing of radio commentator Eduardo Dizon in this city last July have been charged in court.

Dante Encarnacion, also known as Bong Encarnacion and Bong Tabusares, and his alleged accomplices Junell Jane Andagkit Poten and Sotelo Jacolbe Jr. were named respondents in the murder case, according to acting Kidapawan City prosecutor Mariam April Mastura-Linsangan.

The charges were filed on Wednesday.

“The facts and circumstances are sufficient to engender a well-founded belief that murder has been committed and that the respondents probably committed it. The respondents’ defenses should be threshed out and properly ventilated in court during trial,” Mastura-Linsangan said in a resolution issued on Sept. 13.

Linsangan said only Poten failed to present his counter-affidavit.

Another suspect, Hilario Lapi Jr. was admitted to the the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.

Encarnacion was a former coordinator of Kapa Community Ministry International, which had been tagged in an investment scam. Weeks before he was killed, Dizon reported threats to his life for his commentaries against KAPA.

Encarnacion reportedly left KAPA and launched his own organization called Universal Church of God.

Dizon of the Brigada News FM was driving home in his car when he was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men.