Widow of radioman decries VIP treatment of Cebu inmate

Iloilo City—The widow of slain Aklan broadcaster Heherson “Boy” Hinolan has decried the alleged special treatment being given a former Aklan town mayor detained in Cebu for the radioman’s murder over seven years ago.

Aphrodite Hinolan said a thorough investigation should be conducted and corrective measures should be implemented on the detention of former Lezo town mayor Alfredo “Fred” Arsenio.

“I hope that the court will look into this because we had the case transferred from Aklan to Cebu so he could not exert his power and influence on the case,” Aphrodite told the INQUIRER in a telephone interview yesterday.

Arsenio, who was tagged as the lone gunman in the November 2004 killing of Hinolan, was seen in a video leaked last week allegedly holding a birthday party inside the office of the warden of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Two months ago, he was caught on video having lunch along with his jail guards and lawyer in a restaurant near the provincial capitol after attending a court hearing.

Hinolan said she would consult with state prosecutors handling the case on what actions to take to prevent similar incidents.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has directed lawyers of the province to formally ask the Regional Trial Court for the transfer of Arsenio from the province’s jurisdiction after the two incidents, according to lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda, the governor’s spokesperson.

Garcia had ordered the relief of Algier Comendador and Reynaldo Pepito Jr., former CPDRC warden and assistant warden, respectively, after the first incident.

She has also ordered an acting Jail Warden Napoleon Miranda suspended for 90 days  for the birthday celebration incident.

Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Gandhi Truja said government prosecutors would seek measures to stop the special privileges for Arcenio but he said they also wanted to avoid delays in the case.

Hinolan, former station manager of dyIN Bombo Radyo in the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan and host of the station”s morning program Bombohanay Bigtime, died on Nov. 15, 2004, two days after he was shot. /INQUIRER