For 'blackmailing’ Bohol prov’l exec CIDG nabs broadcaster

TAGBILARAN CITY , Philippines   â€”  A radio commentator of a local radio station spent a night at Camp Dagohoy's jail the other day after he was arrested in an entrapment operation by law enforcers for alleged blackmail against the provincial administrator.

The suspect, 34-year-old Roger Balamad, of DyTR radio, was caught red handed at past 4 p.m. Wednesday at a coffee shop at corner Borja and M. Parras Streets in this city, for receiving  P5,000 cash from a certain Wendel Sumampong, a resident of Sevilla town.

The entrapment team consisted of members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), led by Chief Insp. Carlos Lictag.

Lictag said the entrapment operation against Balamad was carried out based on the complaint filed by Bohol Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II.

Damalerio has filed a complaint against Balamad who he alleged had asked money from him, in exchange of the threat of publishing a damaging information.

This act was in violation of Article 356 of Republic Act. No. 3815 (Revised Penal Code of the Philippines), which states: "Threatening to publish and offer to present such publication for a compensation - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from 200 to 2,000 pesos, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who threatens another to publish a libel concerning him or the parents, spouse, child, or other members of the family of the latter or upon anyone who shall offer to prevent the publication of such libel for a compensation or money consideration."

Damalerio was quoted as saying that Balamad, in his radio program, accused him and Gov. Edgar Chatto as "illegal drugs protectors," an allegation that Damalerio had vehemently denied.

After the arrest, Balamad refused to answer questions via live interviews of two radio stations, through reporters Dave Responte of DyTR and Wellie Maestrado of DyRD, based on the advice of his lawyer Doni Piquero.

Lictag said the CIDG has been documenting Balamad's case and was expected to file charges in court yesterday.

Reports said that Bohol Tri-Media Association, of which Balamad is member, and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) were expected to extend legal aid to Balamad.  (FREEMAN)