Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday condemned the ambush attempt on a radio broadcaster in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur that took the life of one of the latter’s escorts.
“Apolinario Suan of Real FM is also an elected board member of Surigao del Sur,” Andanar said in a statement.
Suan was with his security escorts on a Toyota Land Cruiser when it was riddled with bullets by van-riding men at 2 p.m. Thursday on the national highway in Sitio Tandawan in Barangay San Vicente in Bislig City.
The radio broadcaster, reported to be in stable condition, sustained gunshot wounds in his right forearm and right leg.
One of his escorts, Dodong Suan died.
They were attacked about 20 kilometers from the city’s police station, according to a report by Radyo Natin, which was quoting the text of an incident report from the Criminal investigation and Detection Group.
“I sympathize with the family of the victim and urge local police to speed up its investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Andanar said.
“Media violence and killing must end. The President has already ordered the creation of a Task Force on Media Killings,” the secretary noted.
He said the Presidential Communications Office, together with the Office of the Executive Secretary, is currently drafting an administrative order to define the parameters of the proposed Presidential Task Force on Media Killings.
“We hope to submit it to the desk of the President before his State of the Nation Address,” Andanar added.
