Court approves detention transfer of gunman in 2019 journo slay

On Sep 18, 2025

THROWBACK: Malolos City Prosecutor Aldrin Evangelista (center) receiving the case folder on the 2019 murder of Kidapawan broadcaster Ed Dizon from PTFoMS Executive Director Usec. Paul M. Gutierrez and Department of Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic ‘Mico’ Clavano, after his designation as ‘SIT Dizon’ head during their meeting at the DOJ, April 15, 2024.

THE Regional Trial Court of Quezon City has approved the request of the lead public prosecutor from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer the detention of the alleged gunman in the killing 6 years ago of Kidapawan broadcast journalist, Eduardo ‘Ed’ Dizon, from the Davao City Jail to an appropriate facility in Quezon City.

In a 3-pages order dated September 9, Branch 228 presiding judge, Hon. Mitushealla Manzanero-Casiño, granted the motion for the transfer of detention of Junell Jane Andagkit Poten, aka, ‘Junell Gerozaga,’ to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Bgy. Bagong Silangan. The request was filed by Malolos City Prosecutor Aldrin Evangelista, head of the ‘Special Investigation Team (SIT) Dizon.’

In April 2024, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, in his capacity as chair of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), approved the creation of the SIT Dizon headed by Evangelista on the recommendation of then PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul M. Gutierrez. The SIT is principally tasked to ensure justice for Dizon (Pinoy Exposé, April 19, 2024).

Dizon, a radio commentator for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan City, was gunned down on the night of July 10, 2019. He sustained five bullet wounds and died on the spot.

Atty. Hue Jyro Go, former PTFoMS Chief of Staff who now also stands as the pro bono private lawyer of the Dizon family, said the court is also considering the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Poten’s co-accused, Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, aka, ‘Bong Encarnacion,’ the alleged mastermind in the murder of Dizon.

Junell Jane Andagkit Poten, aka, ‘Junell Gerozaga,’ the suspected gunman in the killing of Dizon. He was arrested on May 2, 2024.

Information gathered by the PTFoMS indicate that Tabusares ordered the hit on Dizon over his stringent criticism of the KAPA Ministry that was ordered closed by the government in 2019 for being a front for financial scam. Tabusares is the head of KAPA Ministry in North Cotabato when Dizon was killed.

Go said Tabusares, who is out on bail, is no longer attending court hearings and is believed to be in hiding.

The Davao court’s decision to grant bail to Tabusares in March 2024 prompted the PTFoMS to file a motion before the Supreme Court for the transfer of the hearings from Davao to Quezon City, with the support of Secretary Remulla. The SC granted the motion in July 2024 (Pinoy Exposé, October 22, 2024).

Judge Manzanero-Casiño found meritorious Evangelista’s argument that the transfer of Poten’s detention aligns with the SC decision to transfer the venue of hearing from Davao to Quezon City.

The court also concurred with Evangelista that the request is grounded on Section 25, Rule 114 of the ‘Revised Rules of Criminal Procedures’ that mandates that courts must have supervision over all persons under custody for trial within its jurisdiction.

Go said the Dizon family is hopeful that with Poten’s transfer of detention and with Tabusares on the run and reportedly running out of money, Poten would now have a change of mind and confess to everything he knows about the murder.