Local radio station in Compostela Valley burglarized

TAGUM CITY — Unidentified suspects broke into a local radio station in Maragusan town, Compostela Valley early on Monday, carting away  broadcast equipment.

Senior Supt. Albert Ignatius Ferro, Compostela Valley police chief, said an investigation was  underway to identify the suspects as well as the possible motive of the attack on Bless FM 91.2 Radio ng Masa.

Bob Villaver, the station’s owner, said he discovered the burglary as he returned to the station from a campaign rally past 12 midnight.

Villaver, who is also running as municipal councilor under the Aksyon-Demokratiko party, said the incident could be due to his stinging commentaries against  rising criminality in Maragusan.

“This could be election-related,” Villaver, a retired teacher, said.

He said the station, which is located in Poblacion village, has gone off the air Monday. The suspects had taken away a radio booster, monitor, two laptop computers and a desktop printer.

He said he has coordinated with village officials even as he urged authorities to conduct an investigation and tag Maragusan as an election hotspot.

Villaver said he also feared for his life following the incident.

The Philippine National Police has placed the upland town under election watchlist areas (EWAS) category 2 due to the strong presence of communist rebels there. JE