Monday, December 31, 2007 CIDG hopes broadcasters cooperate in probe By Carlo P. Mallo
THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Southern Mindanao hopes it will have the cooperation of two radio announcers who were in the vehicle of Fernando "Batman" Lintuan when he was killed last December 24.
Journalists Lucio Ceniza and Edgar Banzon were with Lintuan in his car when a gunman approached and killed their colleague with two bullets.
CIDG-Southern Mindanao Chief Benhur Mongao said the cooperation of the companions of Lintuan would help expedite the resolution of the case.
Mongao, who is also head of Task Force Batman, said that up to now, Ceniza and Banzon have yet to give their statement to the CIDG.
"What I know is that they have already issued statements to the NBI team from Manila and to the Commission on Human Rights, but they have not yet coordinated with us," Mongao said.
The two, according to Mongao, would hopefully be able to identify the gunman.
Possible suspect
A possible suspect in the Lintuan slay case was apprehended last Friday; however, the three witnesses to the killing have failed to positively identify the suspect. Of the three, only two said the suspect was indeed the gunman.
Reports gathered by Sun.Star Davao revealed that two witnesses--a 15-year-old and his mother identified--the gunman in a police line-up. A third witness, reportedly brought in by the National Bureau of Investigation team from central office, failed to identify the suspect.
In an interview Saturday with Mongao, he said that they are now checking the witnesses. "How credible they are and what their motive is, if any," Mongao added.
Police Regional Office-Southern Mindanao Director Andres Caro II appointed Mongao as team leader of the multi-organization Task Force Batman. The task force is composed of the coordinated teams of the CIDG, Southern Mindanao regional police, and the National Bureau of Investigation-Southern Mindanao.
Illegal possession
Police apprehended last Friday a certain Oliver Baldonado Antoc for illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs. Upon arrest, a caliber .45 pistol and a sachet of shabu was found in his possession.
Antoc remains in detention awaiting the filing of illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs charges.
"It has not been established whether he is really involved in the murder," Mongao said.
Antoc was turned over to the CIDG for further investigation.
"The procedure now is that all those who would be apprehended with a caliber .45 would be turned over to the CIDG for investigation," Mongao said.
