DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A radio broadcaster in Tandag City, Surigao Sur has escaped an assassination attempt while on board a motorcycle on his way home Friday afternoon.
Victim Joel Salinas Pimentel, 49, and an anchorman of Radio Bandera News Philippines 100.7 was driving his motorcycle traveling from Tandag City heading towards Tago, Surigao del Sur on December 28, when he was shot twice by unidentified men onboard an undetermined motorcycle.
The victim managed to escape by speedily driving towards Poblacion Tago while the suspects fled to unknown direction.
The Tago Police station recovered two spent bullet shells of a caliber 45 pistol in the crime scene.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Surigao Del Sur Chapter has condemned the attempt on Pimentel’s life.
Pimentel is a known critic of a running mayoralty candidate in the area.
NUJP Tandag Chairperson Judith Suarez said the recent attack on Pimentel was an attempt to threaten journalists in the Surigao del Sur “to deter them from making negative and unfavorable commentaries.”
“We urge authorities to delve into the bottom of this case and speedily prosecute possible suspects and all others who might be involved in the said brutal attack. We do not want another journalist’s life to be at stake in our province.”
On the same day, another radio announcer in La Libertad, Negros Oriental was killed by two men on another motorcycle on the national highway in Barangay North Poblacion around 3:05 a.m.(davaotoday.com)
