Alleged mastermind in slay try on radioman surfaces

DAVAO CITY — The alleged mastermind in the April 10 attack on hard-hitting pastor and radio commentator Alberto Martinez of Kabacan, North Cotabato surfaced early Friday evening to clear his name of any involvement in the incident.

Martinez, who survived the attack, was said to be a car insurance agent aside from his being an evangelist of the "Church of God" and host of the Sunday radio program Magandang Gabi, Kabacan on Radyo Natin in Kabacan town.

The alleged mastermind, Romy Araneta, 49, presented himself Friday night to North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol at a restaurant here to deny the allegations against him.

Araneta denied having any hand in the attack, saying he had no reason to kill Martinez in spite of the fact that they had a recent verbal tussle when the radio commentator linked him to the illegal drugs trade in Kabacan.

"I did not go into hiding. I am ready to present myself for any investigation to face whatever charges they would file against me. I am not in anyway involved in the attack," Araneta said.

Piñol said Araneta, who was accompanied by his wife, Gloria, presented himself to him only to indicate his willingness to face any investigation of the Martinez’s case.

Meanwhile, Director Arturo Lomibao, Philippine National Police chief, visited Martinez at the intensive care unit of the Davao Medical Center the other day.

However, Martinez was not able to talk with Lomibao since he was still breathing through a respirator after the bullet that pierced through his back was extracted.

Araneta said it is his wife’s family who really resides in Barangay Osias in Kabacan, where the two suspects, Alvarado Obregos and Ronelio Quinones, also live.

Obregos is said to be a member of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion based in Tawi-Tawi.

Another Suspect Denies Raps

>Last Thursday, Quinones, in an interview with radio station dxND in Kidapawan City, denied any role in the attack, claiming he was drinking with friends elsewhere when it happened.

For his part, Araneta said his family has been living and doing business in Davao City for a long time. "We often go to Kabacan to visit my wife’s family," he said.

Senior Superintendent Miguel Laurel, North Cotabato police director, said Araneta was linked to the slay attempt on Martinez after the police learned about the verbal tussle between the two.

Araneta admitted having confronted Martinez after the latter linked him to the illegal drugs trade because he had bought a new car.

"I really talked to him because what he did was not right. I bought my car from the money which my mother in California gave me and from (the) income of our farm," he said.

Martinez reported the verbal tussle to the police and the two were supposed to meet face to face at the police headquarters on April 8.

But the meeting did not take place because the Aranetas arrived in Kabacan at about 11 a.m., or three hours late.

Laurel said they have no record of Araneta being involved in the illegal drugs trade in the province.

"We have no record of Araneta in the illegal drugs trade. His name only came up because of his altercation with Martinez, but he was not directly implicated by anyone," he said.

Laurel added that Martinez did not mention Araneta as the alleged mastermind when he interviewed the radioman.