A still-unidentified gunman on Monday morning shot and killed radio broadcaster Erwin Labitad Segovia in Barangay Mangagoy, Bislig City.
Popularly known as “Boy Pana,” Segovia tackled “social issues, local governance, and community concerns” in his popular morning show. He was shot dead shortly after he stepped out of Radio WOW.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident and are actively conducting a “hot pursuit operation” to apprehend the suspects.
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,” Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) Executive Director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr. said.
He said his office is already coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Media Security Vanguards and the Media-Citizen Council in Caraga to expedite the investigation.
The PTFOMS official urged the public and the media community to remain vigilant and to share any information that can aid in the investigation.
“The safety of journalists remains a priority for the government, and justice for victims of media-related violence continues to be a national concern,” Torres said.
With 147 journalist killings between 1998 and 2024, the New York-based industry watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists describes the Philippines as among six “consistently deadly” countries for journalists.
Most of the slain journalists in the Philippines are based in provincial areas where they run the risk of angering powerful personalities through their coverage. — With reports from AFP
