(UPDATE) Slain broadcaster taken home to Digos
By Orlando Dinoy, Eldie Aguirre
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 15:31:00 08/12/2008
Filed Under: Protest, Human Rights, Media, Murder
DIGOS CITY, Philippines—Slain broadcaster Dennis Cuesta is finally home to this city while his killers in General Santos City remained scot-free.
Members of the General Santos media escorted Cuesta's hearse and was met by local journalists in Digos City late Tuesday afternoon.
Cuesta's homecoming became emotional for most journalists here, who wore black t-shirts to show their rage.
Cuesta's wife, Gloria, said they have decided that her husband will be buried on August 20.
She said a wake will be held at their house in Roxas Extension here.
Cuesta, 38, was on his way to Gaisano Mall in General Santos City with his friend, Davao City broadcaster Bobby Flores, when shot by two motorcycle-riding men on Monday.
He was rushed to the St. Elizabeth Hospital in the said city, where he was operated on the head due to a bullet that lodged in his brain.
He slipped into coma and died five days later.
Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio, Central Mindanao police director, said they believed the attack on Cuesta was work-related.
Aside from working with Radyo Agong General Santos as program director, he was also the hard-hitting host of the "Straight to the Point" program.
But Serapio said while they wanted the investigation fast tracked, they still have no particular suspect.
He created Task Force Cuesta to look into the killing.
Cuesta's colleagues in General Santos City and members of the Tri-Media Association of Davao del Sur (Trimads) here have called on authorities to speed up the investigation and bring the culprits before the courts.
Cuesta was the fifth journalist killed this year.
The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines has been egging the government to put a stop to the attacks against members of the so-called Fourth Estate.
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