I did not kill broadcaster: former mayor

Thursday, February 9, 2012

THE alleged gunman in the killing of a broadcaster in 2004 denied assassinating him, and told the court he was somewhere else when the shooting happened.

Alfredo Arcenio, former mayor of Lezo town in Aklan Province, took the witness stand yesterday for the continuation of his direct examination in the murder case filed against him for the death of Bombo Radyo broadcaster Herson “Boy” Hinolan.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Judge Sylva Paderanga of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16 is hearing the case after the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the case from the Aklan trial court to Cebu in 2008.

In his testimony in court yesterday, Arcenio denied shooting to death Hinolan after the latter repeatedly attacked him in his radio program over issues concerning his administration.

“Hindi ko kayang pumatay ng tao dahil meron din naman akong pangalan na iniingatan (I am not capable of killing anyone because I also have a name to protect),” Arcenio told the court.  

Lies

Arcenio labeled as “false testimony” and “all lies” the affidavit of a witness, who said that he saw the former mayor shoot the broadcaster.

The former mayor said he was at home when the shooting happened on Nov. 13, 2004.
When told that the supposed witness identified him as the gunman, Arcenio said he was “shocked” and felt “very depressed.”

Another witness also executed an affidavit tagging him as the one who assassinated the broadcaster.

But Arcenio denied it, saying the female witness even went to his hometown in Lezo and verified his identity.

Incarcerated

He said the witness lied when she claimed she identified him as the gunman when she saw him attending a flag ceremony on Nov. 14, 2012, a Sunday.

Arcenio, a former military officer, said he felt depressed because he has been incarcerated for about four years for a crime he did not commit.

During the cross-examination, Arcenio said he suspects the supposed witnesses only surfaced and pinned him down after the reward money was announced.

When pressed further if he has evidence to back his theory, the accused said he doesn’t.

Arcenio also admitted he met Hinolan once when the latter sought his help for his station’s blood-letting activity.

He said he gave Hinolan P5,000 as financial assistance for the project.

He also admitted that he expected a “friendly” gesture from the late broadcaster in exchange for the financial assistance he gave from his own pocket.

However, months later, he heard Hinolan attack him in his radio program for alleged irregularities in his administration’s projects.