Another broadcaster killed in Negros

BACOLOD CITY — Two motorcycle riding men shot and killed a broadcaster in Sitio Magtalisay, Barangay Población, La Libertad, Negros Oriental around 3 a.m. on Friday.

The victim, identified as Gabby Alboro, alias Kumander Agila, a radio block timer of DYJL in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds,  according to Senior Inspector Danilo Santillan, La Libertad police chief.

Alboro, 50, was the third broadcaster killed in Negros Island since last year, after radio anchorman Edmond Sestoso in Dumaguete City and Julius Broce Barellano, a volunteer radio reporter in San Carlos City, Negros Oriental.

READ: Radio broadcaster dies in Dumaguete a day after attack

READ: Ex-radioman shot dead in Negros Occidental

Santillan said Alboro was on his way home to Guihulngan City from a cockpit when he was waylaid by the two armed suspects, who fled on board a motorcycle.

Alboro suffered 13 gunshot wounds and died on the spot, Santillan said.

The La Libertad police recovered 11 empty shells of a 45 caliber pistol and a fired cartridge of 9mm pistol.

Initial investigations showed that the victim figured in an altercation with an unidentified person at the cockpit.

Santillian ruled out that the motive of the killing as job related, saying that he believes personal grudges may have triggered the killing of Alboro.

Two teams from the La Libertad police are now tracking down the suspects who fled towards Guihulngan City.

The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines-Negros Occidental chapter condemned the murder of Alboro, who was also a councilor-candidate in Guihulngan City.

Local NUJP chairwoman Marchel Espina said they are calling on authorities to conduct a deeper investigation of the shooting incident.

Espina added that Alboro was the 13th journalist killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, since 2016. /ee