Arraignment of suspects in broadcaster's killing today
ROXAS CITY – The two suspects in the killing of radio broadcaster Martin Roxas of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) – dyVR will be arraigned today at the sala of Judge Edwin Contreras presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 17 here.
Kristian Tan y Erickson alias Ian and Joenel Lastimoso alias Bongbong Pantat are charged with murder docketed as Criminal Case No. C-209-08.
Contreras told The News Today that he will conduct a preliminary conference for the witnesses and suspects at the afternoon of the same day.
He said city prosecutor Erwin Ignacio formed a special prosecutors team to handle the prosecution of the case. They are composed of prosecutors Chuchi Asis P. Ramos, Alma Delfin and Anthony Firmalino.
Earlier, Ignacio also formed a special panel of three-men prosecutors headed by Asst. City Prosecutor Salvador Dellota for the purpose of conducting a speedy inquest-investigation and evaluation of the case.
The panel found that there was "probable cause" that would warrant the filing of murder charges against the suspects.
There are 14 witnesses who are willing to testify against the suspects, four of them civilians and 10 policemen.
No bailbond was recommended for the suspects who were arrested at a checkpoint in Ivisan town an hour after the incident.
Roxas was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding suspects at around 1:30 p.m. on August 7 along Bayot Drive here. He has just finished his noon-time program "Targetanay sa Udto" and was about to go home for lunch when he was shot.
He was buried last August 24 at the Maayon Public Cemetery where thousands of supporters, family and friends attended the interment.