(CMFR/IFEX) – Two of the principal suspects in the 17 June 2004 killing of Sarangani, southern Philippines, broadcaster Ely Binoya surrendered to local authorities on the afternoon of 23 August. In a telephone interview with CMFR, the Central Mindanao police director, Chief Supt. Antonio Billones, said Ephraim “Toto” Englis, Datal Tampal village chairman, and Alfonso […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – Two of the principal suspects in the 17 June 2004 killing of Sarangani, southern Philippines, broadcaster Ely Binoya surrendered to local authorities on the afternoon of 23 August.
In a telephone interview with CMFR, the Central Mindanao police director, Chief Supt. Antonio Billones, said Ephraim “Toto” Englis, Datal Tampal village chairman, and Alfonso Toquero surrendered to Sarangani Police Director Supt. Casimero Medes in Matina, Davao City, on 23 August. Datal Tampal is a village in Malungon, Sarangani.
John Paul Jubelag, managing editor of the local newspaper “The Mindanao Bulletin”, told CMFR that the suspects were presented to the media on 24 August, at approximately 10 a.m. (local time). Both Englis and Toquero, however, denied any involvement in the killing.
On 25 August, the Manila-based newspaper “The Philippine Star” reported that according to Medes, Sarangani Governor Miguel Domiguez “asked Englis’s relatives to help facilitate the peaceful surrender of the [village] chairman.”
Jubelag, however, said that Binoya’s family and members of the local media were quite apprehensive about the surrender as “it appeared to be scripted.”
He added that there had been earlier reports that Englis had sought refuge in the compound of the Sarangani Aqua-Culture Resources Inc., which is owned by the governor’s family.
CMFR tried to contact Dominguez, but a member of his staff said he did not report for work because he was sick. “The Philippine Star”, however, reported that Dominguez had denied allegations that he was protecting Englis.
The slain broadcaster’s widow, Mary Grace Binoya, said she feared that the surrender “was just an act.” She also questioned why Englis was detained in the Sarangani provincial jail and not in the General Santos City jail since the crime was committed in the city.
Chief Supt. Billones said the police “just did its job” as the local court had granted a motion filed by Englis’s lawyer seeking the suspects’ transfer. However, according to police officer Botit Francisco of the General Santos City police, only Englis was transferred to the provincial jail. Toquero remains in the city jail.
Binoya, Radyo Natin (Our Radio) station manager, was on a motorcycle on his way home on 17 June when he was shot by two unidentified gunmen who were also on a motorcycle.
In a three-page resolution dated 12 July, City Prosecutor Edilberto Jamora said that based on the sworn statements of at least four witnesses, he had found “probable cause for murder qualified by treachery and evident premeditation” against Englis, Toquero and two others.
Earlier, Binoya’s widow had said in a sworn statement that she believed her husband was killed because of his commentary against local politicians, including Englis, whom he had denounced for alleged bribery.
