Another journalist has been shot dead, a radio broadcaster in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) confirmed the killing of Radio WOW FM broadcaster Erwin Labitad Segovia on John Bosco Street, Barangay Mangagoy, Bislig City morning, July 21. He was 63.
“Segovia, popularly known as ‘Boy Pana,’ was the host of the influential radio program “DIRITSAHAN!” which covers social issues, local governance, and community concerns,” the task force in its alert said.
The gunman is still unidentified and the motive unknown.
Segovia is the sixth journalist killed under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presidency after Renato Blanco, Percival Mabasa, Crescenciano Bunduquin, Juan Jumalon, and Juan Dayang.
PTFoMS said local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are actively conducting a “hot pursuit operation” to apprehend the suspects.
The task force said initial police reports indicate that Segovia had just finished his broadcast and was on his way home when he was followed by two unidentified individuals on a black motorcycle.
“We are already activating the Special Investigation Task Group on New Cases to look into this tragic incident,” PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., said.
He said his office is already coordinating with the Philippine National Police Media Vanguards and the Media-Citizen Council in Region 13 to expedite the investigation.
Torres said the incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen the protection for journalists in the country.
Segovia’s killing came hours after the PTFoMs and its partner agencies and media organizations are set to meet with Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III at Camp Crame tonight. # (Raymund B.Villanueva)
