Cagas gives up

Faces raps for journalist's slay in 2010

FORMER Davao del Sur governor Douglas Ra. Cagas yesterday surrendered to authorities, hours before a warrant of arrest against him was issued by the court for the murder of a journalist in Digos City in 2010.

Cagas arrived at the Davao del Sur police headquarters at around 7:15 a.m. with his lawyers and supporters onboard a dozen vehicles.

The governor preempted the warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Carmelita Davin.

Aside from Cagas, three others were charged for the death of newspaperman Nestor Bedolido in June 2010.

The three other accused are Matanao Mayor Vicente Fernandez, Ali Ordaneza and Bado Sanches.

Fernandez had earlier been admitted to a hospital here while two others remain at large.

The murder charges against the four accused were initially dropped by the City Prosecutors Office but Justice Secretary Leila de Lima reversed the decision after the victim’s family petitioned for a review by the DOJ.

In the same order, de Lima also caused the withdrawal of the same charges against the Mirafuentes brothers, Henry and Voltaire, and Artemio Timosan.

Voltaire Mirafuentes, the self-confessed gunman who surrendered in October 2010, was admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) while de Lima said there was not enough evidence that Timosan conspired with the other respondents.

In a statement to the media following his surrender, Cagas maintained innocence in the death of Bedolido, former editor of weekly magazine, the Digos Times.

“I am innocent. I have not committed a crime. I have not asked anybody to kill for me that’s why I submitted myself since I have faith in God and trust in our judiciary system,” Cagas said.

The former governor blamed politics for his present debacle.

“I know politics is behind all of these. This case had already been dismissed by our state prosecutors only to be reversed, later on,” Cagas said.

Cagas was turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s district jail in Digos City. No bail was recommended for his case.

REYES SETH DELOS BOUNTY. The booth of Purok 11 of barangay Los Amigos in Tugbok District, Davao City is decorated with all kinds of fruits and vegetables in the Farmer’s Fair in celebration of the 47th Araw ng Barangay y e s t e r day.

DONDON DINOY RIGHTS. Former Davao del Sur governor Douglas Cagas is read the Miranda Doctrine after he surrendered on accusation of masterminding the murder of broadcaster Nestor Bedolido in June 2010.