Drugs angle not ruled out
behind broadcaster’s slay

Police probers have not yet set aside the angle that the assassination of Iloilo-based radio blocktimer Niel “Lito” Jimena was related to his work as a “confidential agent” of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, regional police spokesperson, Senior Inspector Sally Manuel, said.

Jimena, who was gunned down on Aug. 22 in EB Magalona by two suspects riding in tandem on a black motorcycle, had also worked as an “intelligence asset” of the Iloilo City Police Office, aside from being a PDEA agent, Manuel said.

She also said, “Such angle of the crime is very significant (and should) be considered and examined by probers of the case.”

As to claims that the assassination was related to his job, Task Group Jimena probers are going back in their investigations to the attempt on his life in 2009, where he was also shot by an unidentified gunman near the Malogo bridge in Victorias City.

Manuel said the police are also working on drug personalities, especially in Iloilo, that may lead to the identification of the suspects and masterminds behind the criminal act.

Jimena is slated to be buried in Ilo ilo on Sept. 11.

Task Group Jimena spokesman Chief Inspector Rico Santotome, said the closed circuit television footages of a gasoline station in EB Magalona, that is near the crime scene, is now being reviewed, and the cellular phone of Jimena already submitted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to the National Telecommunications Commission for verification of its stored messages. This is expected to clarify claims that EB Magalona police probers mishandled the evidence stored in his phone, Manuel said.

The slugs and two empty shells of .45 caliber pistol recovered at the crime scene, are also being subjected to ballistic examinations by PNP Crime Laboratory personnel.

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

back to top

Stoppage of PTC’s issuance
eyed during MassKara Festival

Bacolod City deputy police director, Supt. Santiago Rapiz, yesterday said they will request for the temporary stop of the issuance of the permit to carry firearms in the city, while the MassKara festival is ongoing.

Rapiz said they will send a request letter to the Police Regional Office-6, so that civilians will not carry firearms during the festival.

He also said that they will move for the temporary cancellation of the curfew for minors during the festival, but emphasized that minors should be with their guardians or someone older than them when they enter the festival sites.

Rapiz also said the Bacolod City police have started implementation of the “Operation Bakal” in strategic areas of the city to arrest criminal gangs and prevent street crimes.*APN

back to top