Guinobatan, Albay – A radio broadcaster was shot and rushed to the hospital after being attacked on Maharlika Highway in Guinobatan, Albay, this morning, Monday.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 Spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Malu Calubaquib identified the victim as Noel Bellen Samar, 54 years old, of Kadunong iTV and DWIZ. The incident occurred around 9:05 a.m. in Purok 3, Barangay Morera. The suspect fled the scene, while the victim was taken to a hospital in Legazpi.
Authorities immediately formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Samar” to determine the motive for the crime and the identity of the perpetrator. Police Regional Office 5 Director PBGen Nestor C. Babagay Jr. condemned the attack on Samar and ordered the immediate resolution of the crime.
Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), also condemned the attack. According to the PTFOMS, Samar sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and stomach and is currently receiving “critical medical treatment” in a hospital. The PTFOMS has deployed a team to ensure a thorough and swift investigation.
