HARD HITTING RADIO commentator Edward "Mr. Birada" Balida was finally captured in Cagayan de Oro City last March 28 after eluding authorities for almost a year, a police report said. His arrest was on the strength of a warrant issued by a court in Ozamiz City after the NBI filed a case against him following the complaint of a mother of a minor from Pagadian City he allegedly raped. Balida, according to CDO police, is now detained at Maharlika PNP station and will be turned over to Ozamiz PNP for custody. The broadcaster claims to be a block timer of several radio stations in Valencia, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz and Pagadian cities.  During his stint in Pagadian, he used the firing line, "Mulaban sa Kamatuoran, Mudapig sa Kabus" to take potshots at several political and even media personalities. In interviews, he blamed politics as behind his arrest. (J. CADION)