CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna -- The policeman suspected to be behind the murder of Puerto Princesa City broadcaster Fernando “Dong” Batul has been ordered discharged from police service, according to an official.

But Chief Superintendent Delfin Genio, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police chief, said his decision to dismiss Police Officer 1 Aaron Golifardo had nothing to do with the Batul murder case.

Genio said Golifardo’s dismissal, which had been pending for some time, was due to his involvement in the killing of a Maximo Palces and the wounding of his companion in Puerto Princesa last March 1, 2002.

The regional internal affairs service (RIAS) of the Mimaropa police has found Golifardo guilty of grave misconduct on the Palces case.

Golifardo, 38, assigned to the 412th police provincial mobile group in Palawan, was identified by four witnesses as one of two armed men who allegedly gunned down Batul while he was on his way to work on Monday.

Golifardo is now detained at the Palawan provincial jail.