Radioman’s slay suspect can’t go abroad

The primary suspect in the Christmas Eve killing of Davao City radio broadcaster Ferdie Lintuan has been placed in the hold departure list, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

NBI deputy director for regional operations Reynaldo Esmeralda said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez signed last Monday the hold departure order against Leonilo Larosa, 49, to prevent him from leaving the country.

Larosa faces charges of murder for the Lintuan killing as well as illegal possession of firearms. He was arrested last month but was released for the regular preliminary investigation. 

“Apart from this, we will also be working for the transfer of (his trial) from Davao City to Manila to ensure the safety of our witnesses,” Esmeralda said.

The NBI is closely working with the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) to seek justice for 52-year-old Lintuan, who hosted a program on dxGO.  

The Department of Justice has also placed a Grade 6 student under its witness protection program in connection with the Lintuan killing.

Gonzalez said the boy could positively identify the gunman and his accomplice.

He said the young witness and members of his immediate family were flown to Manila for their security.

“We have to go deeper into this (case). The President has specific orders to get to the bottom of this case,” he said.

At around 9:40 a.m. last Dec. 24, Lintuan was on board his vehicle when a motorcycle-riding man fired at him along R. Castillo street in Davao City.

Lintuan died from two gunshot wounds in the head. He was with fellow radio anchormen Edgar Banzon and Lucio Ceniza when he was killed.         – With Mike Frialde