PNP forms task group to solve radioman's slay

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 6 office formed Thursday a task group to solve the murder of Niel Jimena, an Iloilo-based radio commentator who was killed in Negros Occidental Monday.

The Special Investigation Task Group Jimena, led by Senior Superintendent Allan Guisihan, is composed of personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the PNP Crime Laboratory, and intelligence and investigation units of the Negros Occidental police.

Guisihan said they will investigate three angles in Jimena’s murder – his job as a media practitioner, his being a former confidential informant of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and personal grudges.

Task Force Usig, which investigates the killings of journalists, said Jimena was a PDEA informant in 2004. He was terminated in 2008, according to RMN-Bacolod anchorman Larry Trinidad.

Jimena was also an informant of the Iloilo City police’s intelligence section from 2006 to 2008.

Jimena was driving his motorcycle in Barangay Damgo when he was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle, witnesses said. He was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital from five gunshot wounds.

Two years ago, Jimena was shot by an unidentified gunman in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. He survived the attack.

The National Press Club of the Philippines, the Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag and the Iloilo Press Club offered P600,000 for anyone who could lead authorities to Jimena’s killers. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe