Probe body to look into broadcaster’s shooting

GENERAL SANTOS CITY: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is creating a Special Task Force in a bid to resolve the soonest possible time the shooting of Dennis Cuesta, 35, a radio commentator of DxMD-Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) who is at present in critical condition.
Police Chief Superintendent FELIZARDO M SERAPIO, JR., Central Mindanao Chief, ordered the creation of Task Force “Cuesta” to be composed of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division (RIDMD), Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and Public Information Office to ensure a coordinated effort in the investigation and prioritize the immediate resolution of the case.
The incident took place approximately 4:30 in the afternoon yesterday, August 4, 2008 along National Highway fronting the Novitiate Square adjacent to DxCP Radio Station. PINSP LAURO ESPIDA, Chief of Police Station 03, reported that the victim was shot several times by two unidentified malefactors riding in tandem on a motorcycle.

Initial investigation disclosed that the suspects approached the victim from behind and shot him five times at close range using caliber .45 pistol. Cuesta was rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital for medical treatment and is presently being secured by General Santos City Police.
PCSUPT SERAPIO, Jr. said they are considering several angles regarding the motive of the shooting, among them work-related for his being very hard-hitting radio commentator and possibly for his being witness to an illegal detention case.
PCSUPT SERAPIO admitted that they are strongly looking at such angle as motive but pointed out that they do not have any evidence on hand yet that would link the shooting.
“We cannot use these circumstances as evidence. We need to gather hard evidences and witnesses”, he addedPNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office 12 conducted crime scene investigation and conducted inventory of the belongings. Anyone with information about this case could contact TF Cuesta at (083) 301-5083 or PNP Hotline 117/166 immediately.