Friday, January 20, 2006 (Philippines)

“Ayaw mo'g duol nako!” Edgar Belandres (above, with his wife), convicted killer of newspaper photographer Allan Dizon shouted at news reporters not to come near him. The conviction automatically goes on appeal. (Sun.star photo/Amper Campaña) Businessman Edgar Belandres, 41, was sentenced to death yesterday for the murder of photojournalist Allan Dizon. Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ireneo Lee Gako Jr. convicted Belandres, despite the prosecution’s failure to present a motive and Belandres’ admission during the trial that he and Dizon were friends. Judge Gako ruled there were no reasons to doubt the testimonies of the three prosecution eyewitnesses who were along Soriano St. when Dizon was shot and killed on Nov. 27, 2004. [full story]