Acorda: Suspect in broadcaster’s death identified

By Charles Dantes

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday said they have already identified a suspect in the killing of radio broadcaster Cresenciano Bunduquin in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro last week.

(Police Re-

“Based gional Office) 4B, the case, is I think it’s ready for filing, identified na rin yung second suspect and we will give the specifics, especially the names once they will be able to file the case. I was assured by the regional director (Brig. Gen. Joel Doria) that the investigation that is being done is foolproof,” Acorda told reporters during Monday’s press briefing held at Camp Crame. Acorda also said they have also

SIX regions with the reported presence of private armed groups and loose firearms will be monitored ahead of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said told reporters during Monday’s press briefing held at Camp Crame said that “ahead of the October elections, PNP units in six regions of the country are continuously monitoring the activities of three active private armed groups, (PAGS) and 45 potential PAGs with an estimated more or less 200 members with almost 400 firearms that may be used for partisan activities in the 2023 BSKE.”

Acorda also said the PNP’s policing strategies have been adjusted to cope with the added requirements for a conducive peace and order environment that will guarantee secure, clean and fair elections in the country’s more than 42,000 barangays.

Acorda meanwhile said there is no serious threat in Negros Oriental amid a possi- received “some information” regarding the suspect’s location. ble postponement of the BSKE in the province. He further said the PNP will only give “inputs” but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will decide if the October polls in Negros Oriental will be moved.

“With regards to the motive, wala pa tayo (we don’t have it yet) and at the same time they had raised P150,000 for the arrest of this second suspect,” he added.

Bunduquin, the host of the Ayos Mandin show on dwXR 101.7 Kalahi FM, was gunned down in front of a store along C5 Road at Barangay Sta.

“Our primary concerns include the existence of private armed groups and loose firearms. Also being monitored are the activities of communist terrorist groups and criminal gangs that, based on historical data, are known to act as armed goons for politicians during elections,” he said.

Acorda meanwhile said the PNP’s aggressive operations resulted in the apprehension of 897 gang members belonging to 200 neutralized criminal gangs in 690 police-initiated operations while 10 other gang members died in these operations and 84 other gang members surrendered and yielded 124 firearms from the gangs’ arsenal from January 1 to June 2.

In addition, Acorda said police operations against wanted persons and loose firearms remain on full steam in support of the overall security strategy for the 2023 BSKE.