Suspect in slay try vs radioman denies raps

COTABATO CITY — A suspect in Sunday night’s slay attempt on a radio commentator in Kabacan, North Cotabato surfaced the other day and denied that he was one of the attackers.

Ronelio Quiñones, a neighbor of wounded broadcaster Alberto Martinez, appeared at Catholic radio station dxND in Kidapawan City and denied any involvement in the attack.

Martinez, also a Protestant preacher, hosts Magandang Gabi, Kabacan, a nightly program on Radyo Natin, an outfit of the Manila Broadcasting Corp.

Martinez, who was critical of the illegal drugs trade in Kabacan, was riding his motorcycle on his way home when two pistol-wielding men fired at him.

The radioman, in a sworn statement, tagged Quiñones and a certain Jong-Jong Obregos as his alleged ambushers.

"That’s not true. I was in a drinking bout with my friends in another area when it happened," Quiñones told dxND in Filipino.

Quiñones said he has witnesses who can corroborate his statement. "They will help me clear my name," he said.

"I am not afraid to face him (Martinez) because I have not done anything wrong against him," he said. "I am not guilty. I will face (him) anytime, anywhere."

Police have filed criminal charges against Quiñones and Obregos, said to be a soldier assigned in Jolo, Sulu.

Quiñones denied having met Obregos last week, saying that the last time he talked to him was five years ago.

"Why did he name Obregos when in truth and in fact, the guy is in Jolo right now?" he said.

Martinez underwent surgery in a Davao City hospital last Wednesday to remove the bullet that pierced his back.

His wife, Geraldine, vowed to get justice for her husband. "But right now, I am still making sure that his treatment is completed first," she said.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took care of Martinez’s operation and medicines.

"We really don’t have the money for this treatment. A huge amount is needed. I am thankful to Mayor Duterte for helping us," she said. — With Edith Regalado