Arrest warrants out for Ilocos journalist’s killers

Warrants for the arrest of at least four men linked to the murder of a radio reporter in Batac town in Ilocos Norte last December have been issued, the police said Monday. Sun-Star Pangasinan reported Tuesday that Ilocos regional director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil decreed the murder of dzJC reporter Andres Acosta was “solved" with this development. Bataoil said arrest warrants had been issued against Nemesio Agbanaoag, Joseph Calzado, Adulf Calzado, and Gilbert Tarubac for the killing of Acosta, a radio commentator based in Ilocos Norte. He added the murder of Acosta was not work related but due to a personal grudge. Acosta was driving a motorcycle on his way home from a Christmas party when the four suspects blocked his path. He was stabbed repeatedly. Bataoil said they charged the suspects with murder before the Ilocos Norte Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. He said that although the four suspects remain at large, they would be arrested soon. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Calderon commended the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 “for its dedication in solving the case of Dotong." “I also extend my condolences to the family of Dotong, and I appeal to our friends from the media to continue supporting our call for security consciousness and crime prevention measures against media killings," he said. - GMANews.TV