(CMFR/IFEX) – Five new names have surfaced as suspects in the recent murder of crusading journalist Marlene Esperat. On 22 April 2005, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Raul Gonzales told reporters that he received a letter from an undisclosed source naming five officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Mindanao, southern Philippines, as […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – Five new names have surfaced as suspects in the recent murder of crusading journalist Marlene Esperat.
On 22 April 2005, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Raul Gonzales told reporters that he received a letter from an undisclosed source naming five officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Mindanao, southern Philippines, as the brains behind Esperat’s murder.
Esperat, a columnist for the local weekly “The Midland Review”, was shot dead in front of her 10-year-old son in their house in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on 24 March. She had written exposes and filed graft cases with the ombudsman against several regional agriculture officials.
Gonzales declined to reveal the identities of the five new suspects, but hinted that the names were different from those that cropped up in earlier investigations.
The DOJ secretary said he wanted to first have the information verified because it absolved Central Mindanao DA Regional Director Sumail Sekak and his wife, who were first identified as possible suspects.
“The letter named five people, all officers of DA Region 12 (Central Mindanao) as the suspects, but we have to analyse this information carefully, because it is possible that somebody is just trying to muddle the investigation of this case,” Gonzales said.
Less than a month after the killing, police operatives arrested Jerry Cabayag, the alleged gunman; Randy Grecia, the alleged lookout; Estanislao Vismanos Jr., the alleged planner; and Rowie Barua, of army intelligence, who allegedly hired the other three suspects and gave them P120,000 (approx. US$2,220).
Prior to the first four suspects’ arrest, the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI), citing information received from their Central Mindanao regional office, alleged that Esperat’s killing had been planned by Sekak and his wife.
However, according to Barua and Vismanos, “[The Sekaks] were just implicated because [persons with vested interests] want them sacked from the office so others can take over their posts.”
Barua identified Osmena Montañer, the regional agricultural budget and finance director, and Estrella Sabay, a senior staffer, as the masterminds in the Esperat murder.
Montañer vehemently denied involvement in the Esperat murder. He admitted that Esperat had filed graft charges against him and other regional agricultural officials, but claimed that these had been dismissed in court.
“For almost a decade that the case had been pending in court, we have [had a] good relationship with her. All of us in the [DA’s] office talked to her and treated her well. With all honesty and candour, I can say before God that I am innocent. God knows I [could not] do this to her,” Montañer said.
Sources: “Tribune” (24 April), “PDI” (23 April) and “Standard Today” (23 April).
