Philippines: Arrest warrants out for alleged masterminds of journalist killing

CMFR/Philippines—A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Cebu City, Cebu province issued arrest warrants on 4 February 2008 for the two alleged masterminds behind the killing of journalist Marlene Esperat. Cebu is a province approximately 562 km south of Manila.

Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge Simeon Dumdum issued warrants of arrest to the Cotabato City police. Suspects Estrella Sabay and Osmeña Montaner, Department of Agriculture Region 12 office Finance Officer and Regional Accountant respectively, reside in Cotabato.

Esperat, who was a radio “blocktimer” and a columnist for the Sultan Kudarat paper The Midland Review, was killed in 2005. “Blocktimers” buy radio air time to run their own programs.

Esperat, also known as “Madame Witness,” was also president of the Tri-Media Association in her provincial region due to her numerous media exposés. During her employment in the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12 from 1987 to 2004, she wrote about numerous cases of graft and corruption involving misuse of public funds intended for the use of farmers allegedly committed by public officials

Esperat was killed on 24 March 2005 while having supper together with her children in their house in Tacurong city, Sultan Kudarat province. The case was transferred from Tacurong to Cebu because of safety concerns for the witnesses and to assure a more neutral court.

Esperat had labeled Sabay and Montaner as “corrupt” DA officials.

Nena Santos, the private prosecutor for the prosecution, said that the issuance of the warrants was a “positive development.”

“The prosecution will face a legal battle against the moneyed and influential accused, but we believe that at the end of the day, truth and justice will prevail,” Santos added.