Suspect arrested, charged on Dagupan broadcaster gun attack

MANILA – With the help of the witnesses, the gunman who shot a veteran radio commentator in Dagupan City last Tuesday has arrested by the police, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official said on Thursday.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, chief police information officer, identified the suspect as Rolando Lim, Jr alias “Ronnie/Oning,” who was arrested in a follow-up operation by Dagupan City police hours after the foiled slay of Orlando “Orly” Navarro last Tuesday.

Navarro, 55, also the officer-in-charge and station manager of dwIZ 89.3 News Radio, sustained a gunshot wound in the back and has undergone surgery at the Pangasinan Medical Center.

Sindac said suspect was subjected to paraffin casting on both hands at the PNP Crime Laboratory in Lingayen, Pangasinan to determine the presence of gun powder nitrate. The police also believe that the suspect is also allegedly involved in illegal drug activities operating in Barangay Pantal and nearby barangays.

He added that after consolidating all necessary documents relative to the incident, a case of Frustrated Murder case was filed at City Prosecutors Office, Bonuan Tondaligan, Dagupan City against the suspect dated August 27, 2014 with recommended bail bond amounting to Php200,000 for his temporary liberty.

Sindac said that Lim currently is detained at Dagupan City Police Station cell pending issuance of Commitment Order by the Court to be transferred at BJMP Dagupan City.

For his part, Police Chief Superintendent Roman A. Felix, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1), extended his commendation to Police Superintendent Christopher Abrahano, Chief of Police, Dagupan Police Station, and ordered him to conduct an in-depth investigation after the arrest of the suspect.

According to Abrahano, the creation of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to identify the mastermind and motive of the frustrated killing was a great help in the arrest of the suspect as well as the statements of the victim and two witnesses.

Last Tuesday around 1:00 a.m., the victim was having a conversation with a tricycle driver when the suspect suddenly arrived and shot the victim on his left back.

Navarro was immediately rushed to Pangasinan Medical Center where he was treated and now is out of danger.

Investigators also established that both the victim and suspect are neighbors in Barangay Pantal.