The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) announced on Friday, May 3, that authorities arrested the alleged gunman linked to the murder of broadcaster Eduardo 'Ed' Dizon in 2019 in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
Usec. Paul Gutierrez, executive director of PTFoMS, announced that the police caught Junell Jane Andagkit Poten, also known as Junell Gerozaga, on Thursday, May 2, at the house of a village councilor in Brgy. Saguing, Makilala, Cotabato.
PTFoMS said that an informant helped authorities find the whereabouts of the suspect.
Gutierez believes that the arrest of Poten will help strengthen the case against the suspected mastermind, Dante Encarnacion Tabusares also known as Bong Encarnacion.
Encarnacion surrendered to authorities last March but the Davao City Regional Trial Court allowed him to post bail worth Php 500,000
The arrest of Poten came days after the police apprehended Jolieto ‘Ricky’ Mangumpit, a suspect in the murder of Juan Jumalon, also known as DJ Johnny Walker, in 2023 in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.
Police apprehended Mangumpit last Monday, April 29, in Dipolog City, Misamis Occidental.
Gutierez said that the recent arrests highlight the continuing effort of the Administration to create a safe media environment for journalists, and commitment to the rule of law as well as the delivery of justice to victims of violent crimes.
"These accomplishments by the government again prove that no one can escape from the long arms of the law and that thru the PTFoMS guiding its member-agencies, it has an effective and working mechanism to address all violence against the life, liberty, and security of all members of the media," Gutierez said.
