DOJ orders NBI to conduct parallel probe into broadcaster killing

The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the killing of a radio broadcaster in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, the head of the media task force said Thursday.

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Paul Gutierrez said the decision to conduct a probe on the killing of Cresenciano "Cris" Bundoquin was made to hasten the resolution of the case and clarify the involvement of other personalities.

Bundoquin was shot dead on May 30.

The PTFoMS said three other individuals have been linked to the killing aside from alleged gunman Isabelo Lopez Bautista: a police major at the PRO4-B Police Office; a provincial official who belongs to a prominent political clan in Mindoro; and a "big time" operator of a perya.

The task force said other individuals may also be involved.

“Thus, Secretary Remulla deemed it best to order the NBI to conduct a parallel probe for us get a clear picture of what happened and who are the other persons or ‘mastermind’ behind the attack on Bundoquin,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

For Gutierrez, the filing of murder and attempted murder charges against Bautista will not mean closure to the case.

“As Secretary Remulla directed, the motive for the killing of Bundoquin must not be limited to the ‘personal grudge’ of the suspects against him. All angles must be explored to the full,” he said.

“The emerging motive is the proliferation of illegal gambling in the province using ‘perya’ as a cover and politics as both were severely criticized by Bundoquin in his radio program,” Gutierrez added.

Gutierrez and Remulla earlier held a closed-door meeting at Malacañang. — BM, GMA Integrated News