DAVAO CITY – The local chapter of the National Union of Journalist in the Philippines welcomed the surrender Monday of former Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas who is being accused in the murder of journalist Nestor Bedolido in 2010.
Cagas, accompanied by his lawyers and supporters, surrendered to the police and denied all accusations against him.
“This is, indeed, a positive development in the quest for justice for our fellow journalist, Bedolido. Governor Cagas, despite being implicated in Bedolido’s murder, continue to maintain his innocence and he has his day in court to prove that he has nothing to do with the killing. Though Cagas’ surrender does not mean guilt on his part but we should keep an eye on the case to ensure that justice would be served for our slain colleague and the guilty should be punished,” the media watch dog said in a statement.
The NUJP urged journalists and media workers to remain vigilant and follow the progress of the Bedolido case.
Bedolido, who was 50 years old when killed by motorcycle gunmen, worked as a consultant for the weekly tabloid Kastigador. He was fatally shot along Quezon Avenue in Digos City on June 19, 2010.
Television network GMA 7 also reported that Cagas maintained his innocence and this is the reason why he submitted to the authorities.
Quoting a report from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), GMA 7 said Bedolido, who previously worked for a provincial magazine of Cagas, transferred to the Mt. Apo Current magazine which was allegedly controlled by the political rival of the former governor.
It said the alleged gunman, Voltaire Mirafuentes, surrendered to the police in October 2010 and implicated Cagas, but prosecutors said testimony was not admissible as evidence in court. A witness to the murder, Ritchie Manapol, pointed to Mirafuentes as the gunman, but he was also shot in Davao City.
According to CMFR, Cagas was cleared by the Prosecutor General and Investigating Prosecutor, but Justice Secretary Leila de Lima reversed the resolutions. (Mindanao Examiner, with additional reports from GMA 7, NUJP and CMFR.)
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