MATI CITY, Davao Oriental -- Two suspects have been identified and formally charged in court, but the police investigation on the death of radio broadcaster Jesiderio Camangyan is far from over.
Authorities have expanded its probe to identify the mastermind behind the incident.
Superintendent Querubin Manalang, Jr., spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Davao Region, said the expanded investigation would attempt to determine the extent of the personalities involved aside from the primary respondents.
Murder charges have been filed against P01 Dennis Lumikid and Romeo Antoling of Old Macopa, Manay.
Manalang said that since June 24, Lumikid was placed under restrictive custody at the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit after he was transferred from Manay Police Precinct.
Antoling, on the other hand, is still scot-free pending the issuance of the warrant of arrest against him.
Aside from the two respondents, investigators are still exploring the possible culpability of Police Inspector Ariel Nueva, Lumikid’s immediate superior officer for administrative liability.
"Under command responsibility, seemingly he failed to supervise his subordinates," Manalang said.
Investigators are also looking into reports that responding cops did not assist the victim, by bringing him to the nearest hospital after the incident.
Manalang maintained that it is the order of the top police leadership to expedite the resolution of the case especially with the alleged involvement of a police officer who was positively identified by one witness.
"We neither tolerate nor condone any of our personnel involved in criminal activities," he said.
Camangyan was shot and killed while hosting a singing contest in Barangay Old Macopa last June 14. Camangyan’s common-law wife, Ruth, positively identified Lumikid as the person who shot the broadcaster.
Lumikid and Antoling were also seen together before the shooting incident. (BOT)