Benaojan slay suspect junks plea bargaining agreement

The suspect in the murder of radioman George Benaojan yesterday rejected a possible plea bargaining agreement that would downgrade his case to homicide if he will admit to the crime.

"Nganong moangkon man ko nga dili man g'yod ako ang nagpatay sa maong radio reporter," said former boxer Roberto Recla Jagdon when interviewed by reporters after the pre-trial conference of his case yesterday.

The Jagdon, 42, told Regional Trial Court Judge Eric Menchavez that he was in Pardo when Benaojan was shot by a lone gunman inside the South Central Market in Talisay City last December 1.

But when asked by the judge about the distance of the market from the house in Pardo where he stayed during the incident, Jagdon said he has no idea.

It was agreed yesterday that during the trial of the case starting on August 10, the prosecution would present five witnesses while the defense would produce three.

Benaojan's 64-year-old mother, Lourdes, attended yesterday's court proceedings that coincided with the 28th birthday of the slain dyDD Bantay Radyo reporter.

"Ang ako ra g'yod nga giampo nga unta mahatagan og hustisya ang kamatayon sa akong anak, ilabi na og madakpan ang nagsugo pagpapatay kaniya," said Lourdes while walking slowly out of the courtroom.

Benaojan was talking with his friend, Adriano Llanos, inside the South Central Market when shot by an armed person using a .45 caliber pistol.

After nearly a month of negotiations, Jagdon voluntarily surrendered himself to a member of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division. He was picked up from his uncle's house in sitio Paradise, barangay Kinasang-an where he sought refuge after learning he was being accused of murdering the radioman.

Although he denied involvement in the killing, Jagdon said he decided to give himself up to clear his name, saying he was only framed.

Llanos identified Jagdon as the gunman during a 10-man police lineup. Jagdon is also the suspect in the killing of barangay tanod Felix delos Santos on August 18, 2002. - Rene U. Borromeo