Hearings on journalist’s slay set by DOJ in Manila

DIGOS CITY—The Department of Justice (DOJ) has finally scheduled the preliminary hearing on the murder of journalist Nestor Bedolido, which was allegedly ordered by Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas.

“It was a relief that the preliminary investigation will now push through because this case has been dragging on for so long,” Cagas said yesterday as he confirmed receiving the DOJ notice.

He said based on the DOJ notice, the preliminary investigation will be conducted in Manila on Sept. 7, more than a year after Bedolido was shot dead here.

Bedolido, a consultant for the weekly Kastigador, was shot dead on the corner of Rizal and Quezon Avenues here on June 19 last year by one of two motorcycle-riding men.

A few months later, suspect Voltaire Mirafuentes surrendered to the police’s Criminal Detection and Investigation Group (CIDG) and confessed to the murder.

Mirafuentes implicated Cagas and Matanao Mayor Vicente Fernandez. He has since been placed under the government’s witness protection program.

The Bedolido family has repeatedly urged the DOJ to file murder charges against Cagas and Fernandez based on Mirafuentes’ confession.

Marxlen, the slain journalist’s son, said the filing of the charges could hasten the issuance of warrants of arrest against the suspected brains.

Cagas said he was hoping the preliminary investigation of the Bedolido case would eventually clear him of any involvement in the death of the journalist.

“I have long wanted this case resolved. I am also a victim here of undue trial,” he said.

Cagas said on July 22, he submitted a memorandum to the DOJ questioning the delay in the progress of the case.

Cagas said another proof that he wanted the issue resolved immediately was his Jan. 25 motion asking the DOJ to create a special panel of prosecutors. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao