NBI releases sketch of suspects in Solijon murder

The National Bureau of Investigation-Region 10 (NBI 10) has released the artist’s sketch of the two suspects in the killing of local radio commentator Fernando “Nanding” Solijon.This, as Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia added Php 150,000 to the bounty initially offered by the city’s lone representative Vicente Belmonte, Jr, raising the amount to Php 450,000.The two still unidentified suspects gunned down Solijon—who anchored a political commentary program “Sandiganan”—while the latter was on his way to his parked car at about 10:30pm, August 29 in Purok 1, Buru-un village, Iligan City.

Solijon sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his forehead, abdomen and shoulder. He was later declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Police found seven shells and one slug of a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

In a report by Violeta Gloria of the Mindanao news cooperative Mindanews, City councilor Providencio Abragan, Jr, chair of the committee on police, public order and safety was quoted as saying that he considered Solijon’s killing to be politically motivated and work-related.

Abragan—a lawyer by profession—was also quoted in the same report as saying he was willing to assist in prosecuting the suspects.

Local police said Solijon is the 35th victim of extrajudicial killing in the city this year.

Solijon is survived by wife Mely, 44 and 19-year old daughter, Jed, who is currently a second year hotel and restaurant management student.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement that should Solijon’s murder be proven to be work-related, he would be the 159th media worker killed since democracy was restored in 1986, the 19th under the Aquino administration and the 5th murdered this year.