Slain newsman’s kin get police protection

Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil ordered a task force to provide security to the family of slain newsman Albert Orsolino after several men were observed casing their house in Malabon City in the last few nights.

"I ordered Task Force Orsolino to strengthen the security for the victim’s family and the witnesses as they reported harassment from the suspects," Bataoil said.

He also ordered an intensified manhunt operation against the gunman and his cohorts as police expedited the issuance of warrants of arrest.

Superintendent Jimili Macaraeg, NPD-District Intelligence and Investigation (DIID) chief, said the newsman’s wife, Ma. Liza, 32, and her relatives asked for assistance after several men were seen near their house.

The house was being pelted with stones almost every night. The widow told authorities they have also been receiving death threats from unidentified callers.

"We have sent plainclothes and uniformed cops to protect the family," Macaraeg said.

Orsolino, a photographer and reporter of Saksi, was shot dead by two men riding tandem on a motorcycle as he was driving his car on C-4 Road at the boundary of Caloocan City and Malabon on the morning of May 16.

At least five men, Rommel Lirazan, jail guards Ramon Rivera and Reynaldo Nicolas, Franklin Sabe and Rolando Manaog, were charged with murder before the Department of Justice when witnesses pointed to them as the alleged conspirators in Orsolino’s slay.

Lirazan, a resident of Cavite, and an alleged member of the Guardians Federation Brotherhood International (GFBI), is tagged as the alleged triggerman.

He is also facing murder charges before a Cavite court.

Bataoil said he asked the officials of GBFI to join in the manhunt for the suspects.

The NPD chief told The STAR yesterday he had talked to GBFI Supreme Commander Liborio Jangao to join in the manhunt.

The black shirt found on the motorcycle abandoned by the suspects as they fled after the ambush had Guardian markings and was traced to Lirazan.

The NPD chief said Jangao has agreed to help, adding they would not tolerate any member’s involvement in any criminal activity. – With Anne Babagay, Zsarina Salazar