Suspects in radio broadcaster’s murder charged

CMFR/ Philippines – Police have filed a murder case against two teenagers suspected of killing a radio broadcaster in Tayug town, Pangasinan last 14 September 2012. Pangasinan is approximately 160 kilometers north of Manila.

The charges were filed by the police against Isagani Alina (18) and John Mark Gallego (allegedly a minor) for the murder of Rizalino Salinas, a producer and broadcaster for the government-owned dwRS Radyo ng Bayan in Tayug town, Pangasinan. Branch 51 of the Regional Trial Court of Tayug will hear the case.

A farmer found Salinas dead on a ricefield at around 9 in the morning of 13 September 2012.  The broadcaster had multiple stab wounds in the neck, face and both hands.

Police Officer 2 Esteban Fernandez III told the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) that Alina and Gallego claimed that they killed Salinas in order to defend themselves. Salinas allegedly threatened to have the  two suspects killed. Fernandez said the two teenagers refused to answer when asked why the broadcaster allegedly threatened them.

According to Fernandez, Salinas, Alina, Gallego, and a certain Leo Cabanizas were having a drinking spree at the house of Alina’s relative when the incident happened. Based on the testimony of Cabanizas, Alina and Callejo hacked the broadcaster to death with a bolo. Cabanizas said he had fallen asleep during the drinking session. He was awakened by Salinas’ shouting and saw the two suspects stabbing the broadcaster.

According to Romeo Umipig, station manager of dwRS, Salinas had been working for the station for nine years. He said Salinas’s program only discussed development projects and other “good news” since their radio station is owned by the government. Umipig said that the killing may not be related to Salinas’ work as a broadcaster. But Fernandez said the police are not discounting the possibility that the killing may be work-related.