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Friday, September 19, 2003
Suspects in Pala slay identified: CIDG
By Gwen P. Posadas
DAVAO -- Police investigators have identified several suspects in the murder of controversial broadcaster Juan "Jun" Porras Pala but refused to reveal their names pending the filing of proper charges.
"We have identified the suspects," said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief Eduardo Matillano, adding they are gathering additional evidence before filing their case.
CIDG was tasked to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for killing Pala near his home in the Davao Empress Subdvision in Buhangin, Davao City on the evening of September 6.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the New People's Army (NPA) and other big personalities who were the subjects of Pala's tirades on air were among those suspected of being behind Pala's assassination.
Matillano was in Davao City Thursday to discuss with local CIDG men possible measures that would aid their investigation into Pala's murder.
He told reporters he could not reveal yet the identity of the suspects in Pala's slay, as this may hinder the investigation into the broadcaster's death.
CIDG is also coordinating with Task Force Pala, created by the Police Regional Office to investigate the radioman's death.
A pre-autopsy report said Pala was killed by wounds inflicted by bullets from a 5.5 caliber armalite rifle and a .45 caliber pistol.
All three bullets hit Pala and there was no way he could have survived, said Dr. Danilo Ledesma, Davao City medico legal, explaining the pre-autopsy sketch he made on Pala.
Pre-autopsy findings
Pala sustained two other wounds that may have been caused by bone splinters when the broadcaster's left collarbone shattered.
He said he would have wanted to investigate further but Pala's widow, Louise, decided to stop the autopsy.
Pala had armalite bullet wounds in the back, two of which almost shattered his left upper arm. The one other armalite bullet hit him in the left buttocks.
Another bullet hit Pala in the upper portion of his right thigh and exited along his inner thigh, shattering his femural bone in the process. The exit point is lower than the entry point in relation to the muzzle of the gun.
Except for the two bullets that hit him in the arm and his right thigh, the others did not exit his body, Ledesma said.
Of the two armalite bullets that hit Pala in the chest, one appeared to be "ovaloid," a medico-legal term for wounds targeted from the side, while the other from a perpendicular position, meaning aimed frontally, Ledesma said.
The .45 caliber wound, on the other hand, showed the muzzle of the gun was lower in position than the point of entry as indicated by the abrasion collar, Ledesma added. The abrasion collar is caused by the spinning movement and rough surface of the bullet, he explained.
Although he failed to conduct an autopsy, Ledesma said he learned from his initial examination of Pala that the broadcaster's vital organs and bones in the chest cavity were practically mangled when the bullets failed to exit.
Ledesma said he went to the Angel Funeral Parlor when he received calls from Pala's relatives to do the autopsy. He was in the process of physically examining and preparing the remains of Pala for the autopsy when the radioman's widow decided not to proceed anymore.
Pala was laid to rest Monday. Sun.Star Davao
(September 19, 2003 issue)
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