Murdered Dumaguete broadcaster laid to rest
DUMAGUETE CITY — More than a week after he was shot dead by unidentified "riding-intandem" gunmen, radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso was laid to rest yesterday.
Mixed emotions of devastation and anger wrapped the scenes at the jampacked Dumaguete Cathedral where a final Mass, attended by more than 200 people, was said. Sestoso's family, friends from the media, and avid listeners were in full force.
Among those in attendance were Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and his wife Janice, who is the incumbent mayor of Pamplona town.
"Kami pud, nangita pud mi og hustisya alang kang Edmund. Kay ang hustisya ni Edmund, hustisya natong tanan," Janice said after the Mass, saying her final thanks to Sestoso for the "years of friendship."
For his part, Degamo said in an interview that he is giving Sestoso's wife Lourdes a regular position in the provincial government, in order to give the slain broadcaster's family a consistent source of financial assistance. He also reiterated that a scholarship program has been set up by the Duterte administration to cover the educational expenses for Sestoso's children: Ella Bernadeth, 13, and Eden Valerie, 11.
"Naa gyu'y wala malipay sa mga komentaryo ni Edmund sa radyo, maong gipusil na lang. Akong sigurohon nga tanang ahensya, magtinabangay aron makuha ang hustisya," the governor said, adding that he is convinced that Sestoso's death had something to do with politics.
The late broadcaster's remains were then transported for interment at the public cemetery in San Jose town, around 40 minutes away from Dumaguete.
Sestoso was laid to rest on the same day outgoing Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NORPPO) Director Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento delivered a report to Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) head Undersecretary Joel Egco at Malacañang, about the probe on the Sestoso killing.
Portento, meanwhile, confirmed to The FREEMAN in a phone interview that effective Tuesday (May 8), he was relieved from his post as NORPPO director. He said he will be stationed at Camp Crame in Quezon City as the new chief of the PNP's Bids and Awards Committee.
Senior Superintendent Raul Tacaca, who was previously director of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police, will take over Portento's post as NORPPO director. A turn-over ceremony is set to be held to formalize the change of command, but details have yet to be finalized.
Degamo said that while he has yet to receive official communication on the development, he is glad upon hearing the news as it will "speed up investigation" on Sestoso's case. "I believe as governor, Portento cannot do it," the governor said, adding that it was Malacañang, not him, who relieved Portento.
He added that he has also talked to PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on the peace and order issues in the province, particularly in the third district.
"Grabe na gyud kaayo ang harassment karong eleksiyon sa third district, mao nga kinahanglan tag mas isog nga pulis nga mopakgang niini," Degamo told reporters.