Suspect in slay of Negros radioman nabbed

MANILA — Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Negros Occidental yesterday arrested the alleged gunman in the killing of a broadcaster in the province last year.

Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. CIDG chief, said Noel Guimeroy, 47, was arrested around 6 a.m. at a house in barangay Tinungan in Isabela town.

Guimeroy, along with a certain Noel Calungsod, was tagged in the murder of local radio commentator Neil Jimena, who was shot dead in E.B. Magalona town on Aug. 22, 2011.

Jimena, who was 42 years old then, was fatally shot by two suspects aboard a motorcycle in barangay 3 in E.B. Magalona. According to several witnesses, they saw the two men following Jimena. After that, they heard five successive gunshots. Jimena was rushed to a hospital but he died immediately.

 
Jimena  was a radio journalist for the Radio Mindanao Network and former agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

 
“The arrest of Guimeroy (proved) the commitment of the Philippine National Police in running after criminals involved in the killing of (journalists),” Pagdilao said in a statement.

“The manhunt operation that eventually led to the arrest of Guimeroy also shows the CIDG’s strong support to the Aquino administration’s commitment to hold those involved in media killings to answer for their crimes,” he added.

Meanwhile, CIDG operatives nabbed three fugitives who were wanted for murder and illegal possession of firearms in Agusan del Sur.

Pagdilao said CIDG agents led by Senior Inspector Elvis Angayangay arrested murder suspects Ryan Opema and his brother Berhedo from their house in Barangay Das-agan, San France town last Monday on the strength of an arrest warrant.

Another co-accused, Ronie Mendoza, was also arrested by the CIDG men in a follow-up operation.

Also apprehended during the same operation was Pelegrino Pedrosa for carrying an unlicensed .357 cal. revolver and a fragmentation grenade. /INQUIRER