PTFoMS to Dizon slay gunman: Cooperate or rot in jail

MANILA – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is urging the arrested gunman in the killing of Kidapawan City broadcaster Eduardo "Ed" Dizon to cooperate in the investigation by confessing in exchange for a potential shorter jail term or remain silent, exonerate his co-accused and rot in jail.

PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said authorities have new witnesses, including members of the local police, who can identify Junell Jane Andagkit Poten, aka Junell Gerozaga, as the gunman who shot dead Dizon on July 10, 2019.

“If Gerozaga thinks it would be best for him to just remain silent, he is utterly mistaken,” Gutierrez said, as quoted in a PTFoMS news release Wednesday.

To bolster the case further, Gutierrez said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) Dizon decided to transfer another witness to Manila under the Witness Protection Program.

Gerozaga, 33, was arrested on May 2, 2024 by the combined elements of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 and the Makilala Municipal Police Station through the help of a local informant.

Aside from Gerozaga, Sotero "Jun" Jacolbe and Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, aka, "Bong Encarnacion," are also wanted for the murder of Dizon.

However, Jacolbe was initially granted bail by the court in Kidapawan in late 2019 and was acquitted last March 8, 2024, when the venue of the trial was transferred to Davao.

Encarnacion, the alleged mastermind, was also granted bail by the Davao court last March 12.

Gutierrez said they were also looking into the past and current activities of Encarnacion that might have also violated the law and which could help strengthen the government’s case against him and Gerozaga.

“We want to know where he was during the time he was wanted for the killing of Dizon,” Gutierrez said.

“We are also validating reports that Encarnacion has revived the modus of KAPPA using another name and his ongoing recruitment of so-called members, coordinators or investors especially targeting local officials and the members of the police.”

“If warranted, he may also face separate cases for them,” Gutierrez said.

In Kidapawan City last May 14, Gutierrez turned over to the informant the initial reward of PHP200,000.00 put up by the local government for his critical role in Gerozaga's arrest. (PNA)