Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) — The alleged shooter in the May 31 killing of Oriental Mindoro radio journalist Cresenciano “Cris” Bundoquin has turned himself in to authorities but maintained his innocence.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Wednesday said the suspect, identified as Isabelo Lopez Bautista, voluntarily submitted himself to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Manila Tuesday evening, accompanied by his wife, brother, and other relatives.
The PTFoMS said Bautista denied being the man who shot the 50-year-old Bundoquin, a radio blocktimer at the local Kalahi News FM.
It added that the suspect has committed to fully cooperate with the NBI in the probe.
According to Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, executive director of the PTFoMs, there was no formal case filed against Bautista yet when he appeared before the NBI. He explained that this \”technically and legally\” means Bautista cannot be considered to have \”surrendered,\” as he is not a wanted person in the absence of an arrest warrant.
\”The Calapan City Prosecutor’s Office is yet to file any information against Bautista before the court despite receiving the police’s complaint for murder and frustrated murder against Bautista last June 9, 2023,\” the PTFoMs said in a statement.
Police earlier reported that Bundoquin was shot multiple times at close range in front of his family-rented store in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Calapan City. They identified two motorcycle-riding men as the assailants.
The PTFoMs said two witnesses had pointed to Bautista as the shooter, while his alleged cohort Narciso Ignacio Guntan died after their motorcycle crashed into a metal road barrier during their escape.
Bautista said he left Mindoro on June 8 to hide, supposedly upon the advice of relatives and close friends, but he claimed he wanted all along to turn himself in.
Authorities are currently looking at the angle that the murder was work-related.
\”The evolving motive for the killing of Bundoquin was the rampant proliferation of illegal gambling in the province with local carnivals (peryahan) as front, as well as local politics. Both were severely criticized by the victim on his radio programs,\” the presidential task force said.
It noted that Bautista confirmed he and Guntan are \”employees\” of a certain Felix Solis, who is allegedly \”the biggest carnival financier/operator in Mindoro.\”
\”The arduous road towards uncovering the truth and giving justice to Bundoquin just hurdled a major obstacle with the voluntary appearance before the NBI of Isabelo Lopez Bautista,\” Gutierrez said, as he expressed optimism that the case would be resolved soon.
