Dagupan mayor welcomes probe on slay try on radioman

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Mayor Belen Fernandez yesterday welcomed an order of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a deeper investigation into an attempt to kill radio broadcaster Orlando Navarro.

Fernandez said she was happy that in 15 days, the probe would be over.

Last Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct the probe and submit its report within 15 days.

De Lima also required the NBI to make periodic progress reports until the case is solved. 

The probe will include Fernandez, whom Navarro tagged as one of the suspects along with several police officials, in an affidavit he submitted to the DOJ.

“I welcome any and all investigations, Madam Secretary, and I assure you of my full cooperation. The sooner it is established how ridiculous this allegation is, the sooner I will be able to concentrate on my duties in the city,” Fernandez said in a statement.

The mayor said she was thankful that Navarro survived the attack, although the radioman linked her to the crime.

Fernandez said a thorough investigation would reveal Navarro’s motives for the allegation and why a businessman has offered a reward for any leads on the case.

The mayor admitted that Navarro has been a critic of her administration.

“On the very rare instances that I was able to listen to him, I found his tirades quite amusing. Press freedom and open journalism have always been pillars in my platform of governance, and dissenting opinions are an important part of civil society,” Fernandez said.

She urged the DOJ, the police and all investigating bodies to get the real perpetrators of the crime.

Aside from Fernandez, Navarro also implicated the mayor’s staff Marlon Quebral, Dagupan police chief Superintendent Christopher Abrahano, former Pangasinan police director Marlon Chan and former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Freddie Laoyan.

Quebral is a neighbor of Navarro in Barangay Pantal.

Chan, for his part, said he does not want to dignify the accusation, noting that Navarro is his friend.

Another neighbor of Navarro, Rolando Lim, has been arrested and charged with frustrated murder.