THE PHILIPPINES ARRESTED A ROGUE POLICE OFFICER FOR THE MURDER OF A RADIO COMMENTATOR THIS WEEK ON THE WESTERN ISLAND OF PALAWAN, THE SIXTH JOURNALIST TO BE KILLED IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRY THIS YEAR, REUTERS REPORTED. RAUL GENIO, THE REGIONAL POLICE CHIEF COVERING PALAWAN, SAID ON THURSDAY THAT FOUR WITNESSES HAD POINTED TO THE POLICE OFFICER AS ONE OF TWO GUNMEN THAT KILLED FERNANDO "DONG" BATUL IN AN AMBUSH ON MONDAY IN PALAWAN'S CAPITAL, PUERTO PRINCESA. "WE HAVE STRONG EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM," GENIO TOLD REPORTERS, REFERRING TO POLICE OFFICER AARON GOLIPARDO. "I HAVE PLACED HIM UNDER MY CUSTODY," REUTERS REPORTED. HE SAID GOLIPARDO WAS ALREADY FACING INVESTIGATION FOR SEVERAL MURDER CASES IN PALAWAN AND WAS IN DANGER OF DISMISSAL BEFORE HE WAS LINKED TO BATUL'S KILLING. BATUL OFTEN CRITICISED THE POLICE OFFICER IN HIS RADIO TALK SHOW PROGRAMME, GENIO ADDED.
