PNP News Releases 2005

POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR GUNMEN OF LAGUNA JOURNALIST

The Philippine National Police today launched a regionwide manhunt for two suspects believed to be behind the November 20 murder of Laguna journalist Robert Ramos.

PNP Chief, Director General Arturo C Lomibao today directed CALABARZON Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Jesus Verzosa to mobilize inteligence operatives and coordinate with local leaders for the capture of brothers Buboy SAIDALI and Jalal SAIDALI, tagged as principal suspects in the murder.

Police yesterday filed a case of Murder against the brothers Saidali before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Sta Cruz, Laguna docketed under I.S. No. 05-1074. Prosecutor George Dee has been assigned to prosecute the case.

Ramos was gunned down on November 20, 2005 infront of the Pinky’s Market in Barangay Banlic, Cabuyao, Laguna allegedly by the brothers Saidali.

The Saidali’s own a stall in the market that is allegeldy engaged in the sale of pirated video CD and DVD copies of copyrighted titles.

Investigators have established personal grudge as possible motive for the killing based on a witness account that the brotehrs Saidali allegedly confronted Ramos before the shooting.

The witness quoted one o fthe suspects as telling Ramos: “kaya kami na-raid ay pina-raid mo kami.” Apparently referring to the raid conducted by members of the Optical Media Board at Pinky’s Market on November 17, 2005 wherein P4-million worth of pirated CD, VCD and DVD materials were confiscated.

Lomibao expressed satisfaction for the early solution of the Ramos case by the Police Regional Office- CALABARZON.

Early this week, the Regional Trial Court in Cebu meted a life imprisonment term to Guillermo Wapile for the murder of Pagadian City journalist Edgar Damalerio in 2002.

The PNP has vowed swift action on cases of violence committed against journalists.