Caraga police intensify manhunt vs broadcaster’s killer

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — The Caraga police intensified the manhunt against the killer of a radio commentator here on Black Saturday even as the national journalists’ group ruled out that it was a work-related incident.

Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz, Caraga police regional director, said he ordered the intensified manhunt against the suspect to give justice to the victim’s family.

“We already have the witnesses, and a case of murder will be filed against the suspect,” Cruz said. “A task force has been created and I have ordered all available resources to track down the suspect to give justice to the victim and his family.”

Francis Patindol, a radio commentator at DXJM here, was stabbed outside the Alba Copy Center on Narra Road, Barangay New Society around 10 a.m. on April 20, Black Saturday, police witnesses said.

READ: Radioman stabbed dead in Butuan City on Black Saturday

The National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP), however, said Patindol’s death was not related to his work as a radio commentator.

Nonoy Espina, NUJP chair, said a drunk jeepney barker stabbed Patindol, causing the broadcaster’s untimely death.

“The police investigation said it was not (work-related). And the information we received from the (NUJP) Tandag chapter, who was looking into the case, indicated the same. Hubog nga barker nakabuno (A drunk barker stabbed him),” Espina said.

Espina said a total of 185 journalists had been killed for work-related reasons since democracy was restored in 1986, including 12 who were killed under the Duterte administration.

The Butuan City police said witnesses identified the suspect who stabbed Patindol as a certain Ulating Macarampat Barapangcat, alias Ola Saransamen. A cash reward of P50,000 is being offered to those who can help the police track down the killer. /ee