Capiz dads mourn, condemn Martin Roxas killing
ROXAS CITY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Capiz yesterday passed four resolutions expressing profound sympathy to the bereaved family of murdered broadcaster Martin Roxas and strongly condemning the senseless killing.
The four resolutions separately authored by board members Guilbert Ardivilla, Clemente "Budong" Firmalino and Estevan "Evan" B. Contreras II were unanimously approved by all members of the provincial board.
Roxas was gunned down last August 8 by two motorcycle-riding suspects around 1:20 p.m. along Bayot Drive this city. He has finished his radio program "Targetanay sa udto" at Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) – DYVR and was about to go home for lunch when the crime happened.
Suspects Jonel Lastimoso and Christian Tan were arrested when the police conducted a check point in Ivisan, Capiz one hour after the incident. Cases of Murder had been filed by the police against the two.
The SP in the resolution said "the bastardly and cowardly assassination of Roxas is an outright demonstration of quashing every Capizeño's righteous claim for public information and press freedom-- a severely heinous act of aggression, hostility, and justice, not only against the local media industry but the entire people of Capiz.
Earlier, the City Council also passed a resolution denouncing the killing of Roxas.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ely Abarra, station manager of RMN-DYVR, told The News Today that an unidentified person called their station recently warning that two other broadcasters would be killed soon, one from RMN and one from DYOW Bombo Radyo.
Both radio stations are hard hitting on the local issues concerning graft and corruption in the government.
The other day, Congressman Antonio del Rosario of the First district of Capiz submitted himself for investigation after sensing that commentaries from local radio stations here and speculations linked the issues on financial assistance and payroll padding involving him to the killing of Roxas.
The remains of the slain broadcaster was brought to his residence in Poblacion, Maayon, Capiz last Wednesday through caravan which was attended by his family, friends, public officials and the local media.
It was learned that Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. and City Mayor Vicenter Bermejo put up a reward in the amount of P300,000 for witnesses who can testify during the court litigation against the suspects.
Tanco also gave P20,000 check as financial assistance to the family of the slain broadcaster.