Failed attack alarms radio station, staff

ILOILO CITY—An attempt by unidentified gunmen to break into a radio station here on Thursday is heightening fears that its officers and staff are now under attack from those that the station had piqued through its scathing commentaries, including possibly leaders and members of drug syndicates.

The attempted break-in at radio station dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, operated by the Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC), raised alarm among the station’s officers and staff.

According to some station workers, the gunmen, estimated to be at least 20, arrived past midnight in several vehicles and tried to force their way into the station’s offices in the Carlos Uy Building on Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Mandurriao District.

A locked gate leading to the third floor of the building that houses the station prevented the gunmen’s entry.

The attempted break-in, however, was caught on closed circuit TV cameras.

A footage showed a man in shirt and short pants and wearing eyeglasses walking on the ground floor of the building. A handgun tucked in his waist was seen in the footage.

The other gunmen were seen with the first suspect appearing at first to restrain him but later following him before the footage went blank.

John Paul Tia, station manager, said one of the security cameras in the building is missing and believed to have been removed by the gunmen.

He said the station had asked for help from police to investigate, identify the men and press charges.

The attempted break-in, he said, could be related to the station’s commentaries. “We are alarmed by the brazen attempt to attack our station,” he said.