The daughter of slain broadcaster Neil “Lito” Jimena said they are hopeful that the arrest of one of the suspects linked to her father’ s death , will lead to the arrest of the gunman and the mastermind.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, Kholyn Joy Jimena congratulated the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headed by Chief Inspector Cresenciano Cordero for the arrest of Noel Guimeroy on Wednesday in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Guimeroy and Joel Calunsod are facing murder charges for the killing of Jimena in Brgy. Tabigue, EB Magalona, on Aug. 22 last year. They were denied bail by the court.

Guimeroy claimed that his arrest was a case of “mistaken identity”.

They should file charges against the real suspects, and not the innocent, he said.

Jimena hosted block-time programs that usually attacked politicians or perceived political rivals of his patrons. He was also a former agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, police records show.

CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao has congratulated Senior Supt. Eddie Benigay and Cordero for the arrest of Guimeroy, which he said showcases the commitment of the Philippine National Police to run after criminals involved in the killing of journalists.

“The manhunt operation that eventually led to the arrest of Guimeroy also shows the CIDG’s strong support to the Aquino administration’s commitment to hold those involved in media killings to answer for their crimes,”Pagdilao, added in a statement he issued.

Witnesses pointed to Guimeroy as the driver of the getaway vehicle, while Calunsod was tagged as the triggerman.

Several days after the killing of Jimena, the Iloilo Press Club offered a P500,000 as reward for the arrest of those behind his death, on top of the P100,000 reward offered by the National Press Club.

If Calunsod wants to clear his name, he should surface, Cordero said.* GPB

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