Pagadian City Hall compound where the courts are located. (File photo)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A local court on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment the killer of a radio broadcaster who was ambushed in May 2018 here.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 18 Judge Felix Rodriguez Jr. found Arnaiz Alam Cabaro alias “Cabib” guilty beyond reasonable doubt for killing Carlos Matas, a radio block timer.
The court sentenced Cabaro in absentia as he escaped on April 26, 2019 from police custody while being taken to a hospital due to chest pain.
Rodriguez also ordered Cabaro to pay the Matas' heirs PPH75,000 for civil indemnity, PHP75,000 moral damages, PHP75,000 as exemplary damages, PHP130,540 as actual damages with 6-percent interest per year on the aggregate amount of the monetary awards computed from the time of finality of the court decision until full payment.
Matas was killed in an ambush in Barangay Naburan, Labangan in May 2018.
The ambush took place a week after Matas, his driver, and a security escort survived a similar attempt in Labangan.
Aside from hosting a paid program, Matas was also the coordinator for a group of cassava farmers working with then-Zamboanga del Sur governor Antonio Cerilles.
Col. Roel Lamiing, provincial police director, said he will check if there is an existing warrant of arrest against Cabaro and have it served against the latter.
Marilou, the victim's wife, said their family is praying for justice calling those who knew of Cabaro's whereabouts to work with the authorities for his arrest. (PNA)
