Arrest warrants out for alleged masterminds of journalist killing

A Regional Trial Court judge in Cebu City issued arrest warrants this week for the two alleged masterminds of the killing of journalist Marlene Esperat. Judge Simeon Dumdum of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 7 issued warrants for the arrest of suspects Estrella Sabay and Osmeña Montaner, Department of Agriculture Region 12 office Finance Officer and Regional Accountant, respectively. Esperat, who was a radio "blocktimer" and a columnist for the Sultan Kudarat paper The Midland Review, was killed in 2005. "Blocktimers" buy radio air time to run their own programs. Esperat, also known as "Madame Witness," was president of the Tri-Media Association in her region. During her employment in the Department of Agriculture Region 12 from 1987 to 2004, she wrote about numerous cases of graft and corruption involving misuse of public funds intended for the use of farmers allegedly committed by public officials Esperat was killed on March 24, 2005, while having dinner with her children in their house in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province. Esperat had labeled Sabay and Montaner as "corrupt" DA officials. Private prosecutor Nena Santos said the issuance of the warrants was a "positive development. " "The prosecution will face a legal battle against the moneyed and influential accused, but we believe that at the end of the day, truth and justice will prevail," Santos said. The information gathered from the preliminary investigation of the case was filed at the Cebu City RTC on February 1. "I have personally examined the complaint and their witness and on the basis of their sworn statements and other evidence presented before me there is reasonable ground to believe that the offense charged has been committed and the accused are probably guilty," wrote Geronimo Sy, the state prosecutor who conducted the preliminary investigation, on the information. On October 6, 2006, Randy Grecia, Gerry Cabayag and Estanislao Bismanos were convicted by Judge Eric Menchavez of Cebu City and sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of Esperat. Rowie Barua, who was the contact for the alleged gunmen, turned state witness. The case against Montaner and Sabay has been twice dismissed. Tacurong City RTC Judge Francis Palmones, who initially handled the case, dismissed it without hearing, stating that the complaint has no probable cause. After the case against the alleged masterminds was filed in Cebu, it was dismissed by Menchavez because of legal technicalities. - Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.