2 charged in Jimena killing

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines — The police have filed murder charges against two suspects for the killing of Iloilo-based radio blocktimer Niel Jimena, who was gunned down in E. B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Aug. 22.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental police provincial director, said Jimena's wife and daughter, assisted by Task Group Jimena which he chairs, filed the charges Friday before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

Guisihan, however, withheld the identities of the two suspects, and refused to give copies of the complaint to reporters pending the court's issuance of warrants of arrest. A witness who had surfaced, helped them identify the suspects and this led to the filing of charges against them, he said.

The motive however could not be determined yet, although they are looking into angles that Jimena's death was related, both to his job as a media practitioner, and as a former "confidential agent" of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said Guisihan. Jimena reportedly used his blocktime programs in Iloilo, in attacking politicians or perceived political rivals of his patrons.

Guisihan said the murder of Jimena may only be declared solved if the motive and mastermind are ascertained, and with the apprehension of the two suspects.

A P600,000 cash reward was offered by three media organizations in the country for the apprehension of the suspects in Jimena's killing.