2 pals of slain Davao radioman get death threats

DAVAO CITY – The two colleagues of slain Davao City broadcaster Fernando “Batman” Lintuan who were with him in the car when he was gunned down on Christmas Eve, have reportedly received death threats a few days after the incident.

“We have been receiving death threats through text messages in our cell phones that said, ‘Bayad na kayo, kayo na ang susunod (You’re already paid, you’re next),’” Aksyon Radyo dxGO anchorman Lucio Ceniza told The STAR yesterday.

Because of the threats, Ceniza said he and fellow radioman Edgar Banzon had to get out of Davao City.

Lintuan’s colleagues in the media sought a deeper investigation into his killing as his remains were finally laid to rest at the Buhangin Memorial Park here last Sunday. 

“Members of the media should see to it that the investigation should proceed expeditiously, not only in identifying the gunmen but also in finding out the mastermind, if any,” said Antonio Ajero, publisher of Sun Star Davao, during the burial rites.

Ajero, a close friend of Lintuan, also urged his colleagues to find ways to help the slain broadcaster’s four children.

“These children, at the moment, cannot provide for themselves because all of them are still in school,” he said.

In a joint requiem for Lintuan, the Davao City chapters of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) said there would only be genuine peace if justice is served in the killing.

The two media groups also asked for a speedy resolution of the case and that the perpetrators be brought to the bars of justice.

Lintuan’s burial was attended by over 200 people, mostly relatives, neighbors and mediamen.

At least three politicians were seen in the crowd, including Davao City first district Rep. Prospero Nograles who had close ties with Lintuan.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Benhur Mongao, Region 11 chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said the multi-agency Task Force Batman, which he heads, is facing several problems in its investigation.

For one, Mongao cited the slow response of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to their request for Aksyon Radyo dxGO to turn over the tapes and transcriptions of Lintuan’s radio program Liga-Paka, which could possibly help them probe the case.

“We cannot move forward unless the NTC allows the tapes to be turned over to us so we could have a solid ground in our investigation. From the tapes, we would know who were the subjects of his stinging commentaries,” Mongao said.

Mongao also urged Ceniza and Banzon to coordinate with the task force so its investigation could proceed.

“We have a hard time getting in touch with Ceniza and Banzon whom we believe went to Manila after the killing. We need to talk to them here,” he said.

Mongao said the two broadcasters could help positively identify a suspect who was arrested here last Friday.

Ceniza, however, said he and Banzon were not running away from anyone.

“We are open to any investigation. The CIDG has not coordinated with us. They have not called us up that is why we flew out of town to also lie low after we received the death threats,” he said.

Before leaving Davao City, Ceniza said they signed a joint affidavit before the Commission on Human Rights.

“We really cannot always be in Davao City because we also have threats ourselves. We are not running away from anyone,” he said.

He said they would meet with Mongao and help in the investigation as soon as they return to Davao City.