MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief
OZAMIZ CITY—Saying the killing of commentator Ernesto “Ka Ernie” Rollin is big affront to the freedom of the press, Times Broadcasting Network Corp. (TBNC), which owns DXSY, released its statement saying it will do everything in its influence and resources to get to the murderer and mastermind.
Aida Ong Sy, TBNC president, said: “Tao ang pinatay nila, hindi tama yun. We will have justice.”
“If I have to do everything even if I’ll have to turn the world upside down, gagawin ko. I am giving you this solemn promise,” she added.
Rollin, a blocktimer of DxSY, was shot dead in front of his live-in partner, Monday, Feb. 23, in Oroquieta City while on his way to work.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) listed him as the eighth journalist killed this year and the 63rd during President Gloria Arroyo’s term.
“Ganitong mga pangyayari, this cannot go unpunished. Akala nila pwede na lang basta ganyan ang gagawin nila sa mga taga-media,” Sy said, condemning the dastardly act.
“Its high time the PNP will impress us and do its job better in going after the perpetrator,” she added.
Rollin, who was a staunch critic of certain public figures, including Gov. Loreto Ocampos, will be interned Saturday, Feb. 28.
NUJP-Ozamiz, through Jovencio Godoy Jr. and President Ryan Rosauro condemned the shooting and called on authorities to conduct a no-nonsense investigation and arrest the suspects.
“We condemn in the strongest sense the killing of our colleague, radio broadcaster Ernesto "Ka Ernie" Rollin. The brutality that he suffered in the hands of his assailants is not befitting of a civilized way of life,” the chapter statement reads.
“Like other attacks on journalists, the slaying of Ka Ernie has cast more shadow of gloom over press freedom and adds to the continuing mockery of Philippine democracy.”
“Granting that the attackers and/or their mastermind have scores to settle with Ka Ernie, the four gunshots that ended his life clearly are not the appropriate way for this.”
Meanwhile, two of the angles presented by PNP Provincial Director Leonilo Cabug in his official statement with that of Ocampos were already disproved by the community media as mere speculations after the parties vehemently denied their role in Rollin’s death.
To recall, both Cabug and Ocampos gave media their joint official statements the same morning a few hours after Rollin was shot.
Their statement condemned Rollin’s killing and called it a "big blow and grave offense to press freedom."
"The dynamics of a democratic society hinges in a free flow of information, exchange of ideas, and respect to one's opinion and tolerance to the thoughts of others," both officials said.
Ocampos added that he has ordered the PNP to form a task force and conduct a special investigation on the matter and bring the culprit to the bar of justice with no stones left unturned.
The governor likewise disclosed in his press statement that from his initial meeting with Cabug, four angles were looked into as the possible explanation of the broadcaster's killing.
Ocampos and Cabug listed four angles, which involved a love triangle, a property dispute and politics—wherein Rollin was said to be involved in political character demolition job sponsored by politicians critical to the government during elections.
The fourth angle was the unvalidated allegation that Rollin was sometimes seen in company with some notorious drug lords and criminal elements in Ozamiz City.
But Pol Aguaviva, DxSY broadcaster and a colleague of Rollin, told this paper that the fourth angle is preposterous. He added that he can vouch for Rollin’s credibility and that he was never in any way involved in drugs or in the company of druglords.
Yesterday, the media interviewed Rollin’s wife, Phoebe, who said that the issue of love triangle was not a significant topic since she and Rollin were separated for several years already and that as long as she recalls, there was not one instance her husband lifted a finger against her.
As to the disputed property located in one of the subdivisions here, media met with the owner, identified as Rodolfo Reyes, who said the ownership of his house was transferred in the name of Rollin legally and without encumbrances.
Reyes added that he even gave Rollin a special power of attorney to deal and do every act necessary for the sale of his house. He likewise denied the property issue was the main motive of the broadcaster’s killing.
“Bakit ko naman siya (Rollin) ipapatay eh siya ang nag-alaga sa akin at maganda ang pinagsamahan namin. Hindi totoo lahat ng mga sinasabi diyan,” he said.