Suspected gunman in Kidapawan broadcaster’s killing nabbed

The alleged gunman in the 2019 killing of broadcaster Eduardo 'Ed' Dizon in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato has been arrested, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said on Friday.

Citing a report from Special Investigation Team Dizon, PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez identified the suspect as Junell Jane Andagkit Poten or “Junell Gerozaga,” 33 years old.

Poten was arrested in Barangay Saguing in Makilala, Cotabato on Thursday evening after authorities received information on his whereabouts.

According to PTFoMS, Poten has a standing arrest warrant for the murder of the Brigada FM radio anchor.

Dizon on July 10, 2019 was on his way home onboard his vehicle when two armed suspects fired shots at him. He died on the spot after sustaining five gunshot wounds.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in April this year ordered the creation of a special investigation team that will probe Dizon’s killing.

This was after the task force learned that co-accused and alleged “brains” behind the crime, Dante Encarnacion Tabusares or “Bong Encarnacion” and Sotero ‘Jun’ Jacolbe, were granted bail in March.

According to PTFoMS, the suspects plotted to kill Dizon over his criticism of Encarnacion and the KAPA Ministry, which the government ordered closed in 2019 for being “a front for financial scam.”

Encarnacion was the leader of KAPA in North Cotabato, it added.

“We are certainly going to highlight these gains before the international community,” said Gutierrez, who is an official delegate to UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day celebration in Chile. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News