Radioman's killers identified

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The two suspected assassins of Iloilo-based radio block-timer Niel Jimena, who was gunned down in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Aug. 22, was already identified by the police.

But Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said Wednesday they are withholding the identities of the suspects, pending the filing of murder charges against them.

Guisihan said the identification was made possible through a witness, who is now helping them fast-track the solution of Jimena’s murder.

He, however, refused to divulge the motive for the killing, but admitted that Task Group Jimena, which he chairs, is looking into angles that his death was related both to his job as a media practitioner, and for being a former “confidential agent” of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Police investigations showed that Jimena survived an attempt on his life in 2009 when he was also shot by an unidentified gunman near the Malogo bridge in Victorias City.

Three media organizations in the country are offering a P600,000 as reward for the apprehension of the suspects in his killing.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said Wednesday he is preparing libel cases against several journalists and personalities who dragged his name in the murder of Jimena, who was reportedly critical of his administration.

Mabilog said his legal team is studying the cases against five to six journalists who allegedly tagged him as the mastermind of Jimena’s killing.

The mayor said the respondents include journalists writing for a newspaper owned by his friend-turned-arch critic and Iloilo Press Club president Rommel Ynion.

Mabilog said he will seek P40 million in damages from one respondent and P20 million each from the remaining respondents. - THE FREEMAN