Police eye politics behind Davao radioman’s slay

Philippine National Police released Friday the computerized facial composite of the lone gunman who shot dead radio broadcaster Rogelio Butalid in Tagum City, Davao del Norte / Photo by PNP Public Information Office

MANILA, Philippines–Philippine National Police said Friday that politics might be a motive behind the slaying of the radio broadcaster in Davao, the third case of media killing that occurred in a span of two weeks.

The police special investigation task group “Butalid,” named after slain radioman Rogelio Butalid, said that aside from being a block timer for 107.9 Radyo Natin, he was also an incumbent barangay councilor.

In previous reports, Butalid, 46, was a councilor of Barangay Mankilam. He was shot several times by a man wearing dark glasses after he had just stepped out of a radio station in Tagum City.

But PNP STIG Butalid released a computerized facial composite of his lone gunman, who was described to be between 40 to 45 years old, stands 5’4″ to 5’5″ in height with slim build, fair complexion and pimple scars.

The suspect wore a brown sweat shirt and faded black pants, according to Senior Superintendent Samuel Gadingan, provincial director of Davao del Norte police.

Gadingan said the CFC was generated based on the descriptions provided by a witness to the shooting.

PNP spokesperson Reuben Theodore Sindac added that Butalid anchored a radio program for Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative – National Electrification Administration, which was reportedly embroiled in a violent dispute with a pro-cooperative faction.

The SITG Butalid tracker teams have fanned out to various areas in the provinces of Davao to pursue leads on the possible identity of the suspect.

Butalid was among the three broadcast journalists killed separately within three weeks, which was condemned by the Palace and various sectors.