|
Saturday, January 14, 2006
But he denies attacking radioman George Benaojan
By Mia E. Abellana Sun.Star Staff Reporter
With Jujemay G. Awit
After nearly a month’s negotiations, the man charged for the killing of radio broadcaster George Benaojan surrendered to the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division Thursday night.
Jinky “Michael” Jag-don, 40, was picked up by Senior Insp. Romeo Santander in his uncle’s house in Sitio Paradise, Kinasang-an, Pardo, Cebu City at 7 p.m., where he said he took shelter since he found out he was accused of murder.
Jagdon, a former professional boxer, told reporters that he decided to give himself up to clear his name and cooperate in the police investigation.
He said he had nothing to do with the killing of the broadcaster and that he was framed so that he could be blamed for the shooting last Dec. 1 outside his stall at the South Central Market in Talisay City.
Initially, he said that he was in the area on the day Benaojan, 27, a reporter and commentator of Ban-tay Radyo dyDD, was shot.
He later changed his statement and said he was in Pardo all along.
Despite his denial, main witness Adriano “Jammy” Llanos, who was with Benaojan at the time of the shooting, identified him as the gunman in a 10-man lineup yesterday morning.
A second witness, a cab driver, did not point to anyone because he was confused.
Jagdon was escorted yesterday by at least six policemen to the Palace of Justice where his commitment order was signed by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Enriqueta Belarmino of Branch 18 where he is facing another murder case.
Jagdon is the suspect in the killing of barangay tanod Felix delos Santos last Aug. 18, 2002.
The group then proceeded to RTC Branch 21 where the case for Benaojan’s murder was filed.
Judge Eric Menchavez did not anymore sign a commitment order to prevent confusion.
He explained to the escorts that if he signs the order, he would want Jagdon detained at the Talisay City jail or the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.
Jagdon maintained his innocence, saying he has never been jailed for any crime. He alleged that the tanod had stolen his mountain bike and stabbed him, which was later interpreted as a motive for him to kill the tanod.
RIID 7 Chief Augusto Marquez still believes they have a strong case against Jagdon because of Llanos’ identification.
Jagdon admitted he was the man in the photograph that has been shown in television and newspapers, but clarified that his name was not Dinky or Roberto.
He said his brother-in-law merely identified him as Roberto because he did not know that he was nicknamed Michael.
He also denied telling his family that he did vigilante work.
He alleged that two brothers, whom he sued for harassment in 2002, orchestrated the killing and pinned it on him.
They dropped his identification card at the crime scene so that police would link him to the crime.
Asked how they got hold of his identification card, Jagdon saod they were once friends and that he gave this to one of them as a souvenir from his boxing days.
Jagdon declined to name the two brothers for now but said they were drug lords.
However, he said they were envious of him because he was able to put up a house in Lawaan, Talisay City.
Jagdon was the country’s bantamweight boxing champion in 1989.
He was a gold medalist in the amateurs at age 17 and turned professional in 1987.
Jagdon said he quit boxing in 2002 due to alleged threats to his life that came about after he filed a harassment case against the brothers.
He had to abandon his wife and four children just to protect himself.
Since leaving professional boxing, Jagdon said he worked odd jobs.
Senior Supt. Marquez said Jagdon started sending surrender feelers since Dec. 16.
He said they had to explain to him that flight is an indication of guilt and if he was innocent, he should not be afraid to surrender.
He added that it would be more dangerous for him if he continued hiding because there could be bounty hunters waiting to catch him.
Jagdon chose Senior Insp. Santander because he was familiar with the officer, whom he said he once helped in looking for wanted persons in Kinasang-an.
He was also familiar with Santander’s father, retired colonel Tomas Santander Sr.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 14, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
