Monday, August 16, 2004 Press group seeks NBI help over Abayon slay By Aquiles Zonio
NEWSMEN asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take the lead in getting to the bottom of the Abayon murder case.
In a letter dated August 14, the Task Force Media, a body created by local newsmen to monitor the progress of the murder charges filed against the suspects in the separate killings of two broadcast journalists here, asked NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco to conduct a separate probe.
The media asked NBI to step into the case after the camp of people's featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao issued conflicting statements and after the city police issued a premature statement ruling out the involvement of the boxing champ in the killing of Abayon.
"This request for investigation is fueled by our common desire for proper authorities to look deeper into every possible angle, personalities and vital circumstances surrounding the shooting and eventual death of Mr. Abayon," the letter said.
The media was irked by the pronouncement made by Supt. Willie Dangane, city police director, shortly after the shooting which prematurely cleared Pacquiao.
"This development has created more questions in the minds of our colleagues and that of the family of Mr. Abayon," the letter further said.
On Friday, Pacquiao called for a press conference to air his side.
Speaking through his lawyer Franklin Gacal Jr., Pacquiao said he condemned the "dastardly and senseless" killing of Abayon.
He said he would do his best to surrender Bael who have gone into hiding.
Gacal likewise belied insinuations that the murder of Abayon has something to do with a bar room incident that involved Pacquiao sometime last year.
He said efforts to link Pacquiao to the killing is malicious and without any basis.
During said press conference, the media lambasted Dangane for acting like a spokesman of Pacquiao.
The city police director even pleaded to the members of the media to spare the boxer from the issue because he brings honor and pride to the city.
The media also noted several inconsistencies in the pronouncements of Pacquiao's camp.
The boxer denied knowing William Bael, the triggerman in the Killing of GMA Super Radyo reporter Jonathan Abayon.
However, during a separate interview with this writer, Pacquiao said he gave money to Bael before going to bed.
But Pacquiao clarified he gave money to Bael as the suspect's mother had just died and his wife was confined at the hospital in Davao City.
Another development, which raised the doubts among newsmen, was the coming out of a certain Russell Jamora, Pacquiao's brother-in-law, as witness.
Jamora also gave confusing accounts on his being punched by Bael.
At first, he claimed he was hit on the lips, and then during a press conference, he said he was boxed by Bael on the eye.
"We are not saying that the boxing sensation has a hand in the killing of Mr. Abayon. All we are after is the truth to come out. Many residents, newsmen and the family of the late Mr. Abayon are now asking why there is a frantic move to isolate Mr. Pacquiao from the incident?" the media practitioners asked.
Members of the local media here will hold a motorcade and a rally today to denounce the recent spate of violence against journalists in the country in the recent weeks.
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