GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines ? A columnist of a local newspaper was found dead inside the compound of a radio station here on Saturday night.

Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac, city police chief, said the body of Chito Abuzo, a columnist of Sapol, was bludgeoned to death.

Abuzo?s body was found inside the compound of radio station dxGS here at past 11 p.m. Saturday.

Initial investigation showed that the motive of the killing was personal, Pintac said. They have the identity of the suspect, but refused to divulge it pending completion of investigation, he added.

Abuzo was known as a critic of local politicians, police said.

Pintac said the victim was just visiting a friend in the radio station.

He said the victim was bludgeoned to death by a lone suspect using a piece of concrete cement weighing about five kilos.

?There?s no other suspect because he was the only person inside the dxGS compound when the killing took place,? Pintac bared.

Abuzo?s remains were brought to Villa Funeral Home for autopsy.

John Paul Jubelag, publisher of Sapol, urged the police to conduct an in-depth investigation to determine the real motive behind the killing.

?The police must look at several angles before coming up with a conclusion. We want this case to be resolved immediately, but the police must ensure to build up a strong case against the suspect before filing a formal complaint with the court,? Jubelag said.

Jubelag said he had received several information as to the motive of the killing, but wanted to make sure he has the accurate information before making any conclusion whether the killing was work-related or personal.

Abuzo is the 138th victim of media killing since 1986, the year when the country regained its freedom and democracy from the dictatorial Marcos regime.

The Philippines is regarded as one of the world?s most dangerous places for journalists, partly due to a culture of impunity that allows those in power to commit crimes with little risk of punishment.

Thirty journalists were among 57 people murdered in Maguindanao on November 23 last year in an attack blamed on a local political rivalry. Several people are on trial for the murders.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said 32 journalists were killed in the Philippines in 2009, making it the world?s deadliest country for journalists last year.