Neighbor tagged in Dagupan radio commentator’s shooting

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Police will file a criminal complaint against a man suspected of shooting a radio commentator in Barangay Pantal here.

Superintendent Christopher Abrahano, city police chief, yesterday said frustrated murder charges would be filed with the prosecutor’s office against Rolando Lim Jr., 46, for shooting Orlando “Orly” Navarro, 55, of dwIZ News Radio Dagupan as he was crossing the street before dawn Tuesday. 

Lim and Navarro are neighbors.

Lim’s arrest was based on the testimony of witnesses and Navarro, who is still confined at the Pangasinan Medical Center.

Lim underwent paraffin test. No gun was seized from him.

Abrahano said initial reports showed the suspect is involved in illegal drugs. Navarro has been critical of the drug menace in his radio program. 

Mayor Belen Fernandez and Chief Superintendent Roman Felix, regional director of Police Regional Office 1, ordered Abrahano to conduct a thorough investigation of the shooting. 

Fernandez laughed off reports implicating her and the police in the wounding of Navarro, noting that the city under her leadership has been a recipient of several awards from the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Meanwhile, the city council of Dagupan passed a resolution condemning the shooting of Navarro.

Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo in a privilege speech, said “the shooting of a media personality is an affront to free speech and... a free Dagupan.”