Killer Of Ilocos Broadcaster Found Guilty Of Murder

BAGUIO CITY(February 4, 2021)— The killer of radio broadcaster Jovelito Agustin, also known as “Aksyon Lito”, was found guilty for murder and waa sentenced by the court to life imprisonment.  
The guilty verdict marks the 50th conviction of an accused charged for the killing of a journalist in the country, said Undersecretary Joel Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS).
In a 15-page verdict promulgated on Tuesday (February 2), Judge Romeo E. Agacita, Jr. of Branch 27 of San Fernando, La Union Regional Trial Court (RTC) found no reason why Leonardo Banaag, Jr. would not be jailed for murdering Agustin 11 years ago in Laoag City.
The court also ordered Banaag Jr. to indemnify the victim’s surviving heirs a total of Php300,000.00.
Agustin,  a broadcaster at DZJC Radio in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, was shot to death on the night of June 15, 2010 by motorcycle “riding in tandem” gunmen while on his way home near the vicinity of Brgy, Barit, Laoag City.  
USec Egco said, numerous incidents of media-related violence during the past administrations prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to create PTFoMS upon assuming the presidency in 2016 to monitor, investigate, resolve and prevent media killings.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary and PTFoMS co-chair Martin Andanar hailed Judge Agacita for his ruling that will finally give justice to the slain broadcaster and his family.
 “Justice has been achieved and we’ll make sure that the likes of Banaag will feel the dire consequences of their heinous deeds. No matter how long it takes, the Duterte administration will always ensure that justice will be served to all perpetrators of media violence,” the official said.
Egco while also expressing gratitude to the court for the ruling promised “no media killer will ever go unpunished”,  adding, “this is the promise of President Duterte to our media workers in creating the PTFoMS.”  
According to PTFoMS, fifty accused have already been convicted for their crimes against journalists. 
“Indeed, the 50th conviction of a perpetrator is concrete proof that the culture of impunity in the Philippines has come to an end,” added Egco.
Agustin was known for lambasting local politicians in his radio program, particularly the late Pacifico Velasco, former mayor and vice mayor of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, for alleged corruption and ties to illegal gambling.  The mayor died in 2019.
According to the police, Banaag was previously employed by Velasco as bodyguard.
The court also convicted Banaag for Attempted Murder for shooting and injuring Joseph Agustin, the broadcaster’s companion at that time, and was sentenced to an indeterminate penalty of 6 to 8 years imprisonment for that particular offense.
Egco added that PTFoMS highlighted the essential work by the officers and men and women of the Laoag City police in the Agustin murder case. 
He vowed, “despite the present challenges, the task force remains committed, vigilant and relentless in its mandate in making sure that the life, liberty and security of media workers are protected.

 As long as this task force exists, come hell or high water and no matter who you are, anyone planning to harm any of our media workers will bear the full brunt of the law.”
Artemio A. Dumlao

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