Davao City radioman acquitted in colleague's killing

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A regional trial court judge here has dismissed the murder case against a radio blocktimer for the killing of a fellow radio anchorman on Dec. 24, 2007.

The victim, Fernando “Batman” Lintuan, was shot dead at close range on Christmas Eve as his Volkswagen Beetle stopped at an intersection on R. Castillo street here.

He had just come from his morning program on radio station dxGO when he was attacked.

RTC Branch 14 Judge George Omelio acquitted Leonilo Larosa in Lintuan’s killing, citing inconsistencies in the testimony of the 15-year-old witness who was instrumental in pinning down the radio blocktimer on the case.

In his decision, Omelio said the testimony of the teenage witness, who claimed to have talked to the gunman hours before the killing, was “irreconcilable, contradictory, and incompatible with his statements on other occasions concerning the same fact and that made him ridiculous and unbelievable.”

Larosa’s lawyer, Ramon Edison Batacan, who is the Integrated Bar of the Philippines governor for Eastern Mindanao, said he was expecting the dismissal of the case against his client.

“As I was saying from the start of the preliminary investigation, the case would not stand court scrutiny. It was just a matter of time that the case would be dismissed and finally it has come. What a waste of effort, but victory is sweet for my client who is innocent,” Batacan said.

Omelio also noted the witness’ claim that the gunman had a mole on the face and a deformed toe, which Larosa both did not have.

Larosa though is facing another case for illegal possession of firearms, after a search on his Pajero upon his arrest early last year yielded several firearms and ammunition. 

Reportedly found in Larosa’s possession were a Colt Mark IV series 80, a caliber .38 Super pistol, four magazines, 32 rounds of caliber .38 ammunition, one magazine pouch, a gun holster, and a black clutch bag.