P440k cash reward offered for info on Sestoso killers
DUMAGUETE CITY — Authorities have put up a P400,000 reward to anyone who can give solid information on the identities and whereabouts of the killers of Dumaguete radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso.
Dumaguete Press Club president Juancho Gallarde revealed this in a speech during an indignation rally organized by the members of the local media Thursday. He said the national government is giving P200,000, while the local government units of Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental are giving P100,000 each.
"If [the killing] happened to Edmund, it can happen to all of us," said Gallarde, also the news director and anchor for radio station dyEM, and correspondent of The FREEMAN.
The National Bureau of Investigation also released an official artist's sketch of one of Sestoso's killers: a brown male estimated to be in his 30s - first shared on local news pages and is now circulating on social media.
Around 200 people, including Sestoso's avid listeners, attended the prayer rally at the Quezon Park, Dumaguete City's main public space, which ended in a candle lighting ceremony, giving tribute and calling for justice for the late broadcaster.
Another indignation rally was also held yesterday at the Freedom Park, Negros Oriental's main public space and the province's Kilometer Zero.
Sestoso was shot on Monday by unidentified gunmen in Barangay Daro of this city after his daily radio program "Tug-anan sa Power 91" over station dyGB 91.7 FM. He later died from his injuries at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, and Undersecretary Joel Egco, who also heads the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) were in Dumaguete City Thursday to visit Sestoso's wake.
They met with the slain broadcaster's wife Lourdes and daughters Eden, 13, and Bernadeth, 11, then discuss with military and police officials about the case, adding that the PTFOMS' task force had begun its probe on Sestoso's murder.
Go said President Rodrigo Duterte is extending his condolences to the bereaved family and that his administration will be giving financial assistance to them, and educational expenses for the two daughters.