General Santos journalist killed for personal reasons, says police

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Christopher Guarin, publisher and editor-in-chief of the local newspaper tabloid Tatak, was killed last Thursday for personal reasons, the chief of the police in Central Mindanao said Saturday.

“Based on our initial investigation, it appears that the motive is personal,” Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said without elaboration.

Mantele said the investigation was continuing though.

Guarin, 41, was driving home with his wife and 9-year-old daughter Thursday night when he was shot by two unidentified men on a motorcycle.

He jumped out of the car after the first shot was fired in a bid to protect his wife and daughter.

He tried to run away but the gunmen pursued him and shot him several more times, police said.

Based on the findings of the police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives, Guarin died from five bullet wounds.

“He sustained an injury on his neck, two on his body, one in the arm and one in the thigh. We also recovered three spent shells and a slug of a .45 caliber pistol,” the Soco report said.

Guarin’s wife, Lyn, suffered a superficial wound while the child was unscathed, albeit in a state of shock.

“We are determined to solve the incident. Just give us time,” Mantele said during a dialogue with journalists here Friday.

He said a task force had been created to speed up the investigation.

“This is under my direct supervision but the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the region serves as the lead agency,” Mantele said.

He said the police needed as many witnesses as it can find to speed up resolution of the murder.

“You report to me directly if you have information that could help solve the case quickly,” Mantele said.

“We are alarmed and appalled by the brazenness of the attack that further reinforced the prevailing culture of impunity,” journalists here said in a joint statement.

They said the police should not concentrate only on the Guarin killing but also solve killings in the past.

Among those felled by assassins’ bullets here were Alfredo Velarde of Brigada News (November  2011) and broadcaster Dennis Cuesta, who was shot dead more than three years ago.

Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio said the immediate help the city government could extend to journalists here was to facilitate the issuance to them of permits to carry firearms.

“I already tasked city councilor Dante Vicente to get the names of journalists here who are holders of licensed firearms. I’m going to help them secure PTC (permit to carry) from Camp Crame,” Custodio said, adding she would personally shoulder the cost of the permits.

“I warn you to use it just for your self-defense and not to abuse anybody. Any violation will be dealt with accordingly aside from cancellation of your PTC,” she added.

“This is very much welcome especially for those who are qualified,” journalist John Paul Jubelag said.

Isaias Golez, Jr., president of the Central Mindanao Police Press Corps, said, “The mayor’s initiative is laudable as it would help protect journalists from harm.”

But Edwin Espejo, chair of the local chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said arming journalists was not the solution.

“Carrying guns is not the solution to the killings of Journalists,” he said.

Espejo said rounding up and prosecuting the killers is the best way to address the killings.

Originally posted at 10:36 a.m.