KIDAPAWAN , Philippines – A local court has finally issued a warrant for the arrest of the alleged mastermind in the murder last year of a radio commentator critical of the KAPA investment scheme.
Dante Tabusares, alias Bong Encarnacion, is now the subject of a manhunt by a joint team of the police and military.
The warrant was issued by Judge Henelinda Molina-Diaz of the Regional Trial Court 12th Judicial Region Branch on Jan. 15.
Copies of the warrant were obtained by the police and journalists on Saturday.
Tabusares allegedly masterminded the murder of Brigada FM commentator Eduardo Dizon in this city on July 10, 2019.
In his radio program, Dizon criticized the KAPA Community Ministry International, which had Tabusares as endorser and coordinator in Kidapawan City.
Tabusares was among three persons earlier charged for the murder of Dizon, but he appealed for a review of the case. The appeal resulted in the suspension of the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
The court only ordered arrested Tabusares’ alleged cohorts, identified as Junell Jane Poten and Sotelo Jacolbe Jr.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security led Dizon’s relatives in filing criminal cases against Tabusares, Poten and Jacolbe.
Reports said Tabusares threatened to have Dizon killed in his radio program weeks before the incident.