‘Swift justice’ for slain Albay radioman sought
LIGAO CITY—The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) and other media organizations on Wednesday condemned the murder of radio broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar and urged authorities to bring people behind the attack to justice, as police vowed to make the case their “topmost priority.”
Samar, 54, a blocktime commentator of radio station dwIZ and manager of online media platform Kadunong ITV, died around 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center in Legazpi City. Samar, on Monday, was shot and wounded by two suspects on separate motorcycles while he was driving his motorcycle along Maharlika Highway at Barangay Morera in Guinobatan town.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the entire media community in Bicol as we also urge our colleagues to be cautious in their daily activities,” NPC president Leonel Abasola said in a statement.
Abasola called on authorities to secure Samar’s family and ensure swift justice for his killing.
“Every attack on a journalist is an attack on press freedom itself,” he said, urging government agencies, law enforcement authorities and media workers to work together in addressing violence against journalists.
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Abasola also encouraged media practitioners in the region to report any form of harassment or intimidation to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, noting that similar threats have been reported in Bicol.
In an interview, Ronie Beren, dwIZ station manager, said Samar was “a great loss for the company.”
“He was a professional blocktimer who hosted his program ‘Bull’s Eye’ with passion and integrity. Although we rarely saw him in person since he broadcast remotely, he was consistent in his commentary,” Beren said.
Samar, he said, mainly tackled political and social issues in his program.
“We will review all of his aired programs to see if there’s anything that might have offended anyone,” Beren said.
Reynard Sevillano, chair of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Albay chapter, expressed “deep sorrow” over Samar’s death.
“We strongly condemn this incident. This tragic event once again sows fear among media practitioners, especially since this is not the first time such a crime has occurred. What is truly disheartening is that many of them remain unresolved and without justice,” he said.
“We also appeal to concerned agencies and institutions to provide greater protection and security for journalists,” Sevillano added.
Ruel Saldico, president of the Bicol Press Club, also urged the government to take stronger action to protect journalists.
“The media industry wants assurance that justice will be served for the victim. We hope the government will help and support the bereaved family,” he said.
The Bicol regional police and the Albay provincial police have launched a pursuit and formed the Special Investigation Task Group “Samar” to probe the killing.
In a statement, acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they had leads in Samar’s murder.
“We are expediting the process but we also want to ensure that the evidence gathered will stand in court,” Nartatez said, although he did not give details on information that investigators were pursuing.
Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., Bicol regional police director, said, “Solving this case is our topmost priority. The cold-blooded killing of [Samar] is an outrage that strikes at the heart of our community’s sense of safety and justice.”
“We will not rest until justice for Noel Samar is served,” Babagay said. —WITH A REPORT FROM JASON SIGALES
