Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. on Wednesday said law enforcement authorities are treating the case of slain radioman Noel Bellen Samar a top priority and vowed to deliver justice as soon as possible.
Nartatez said investigators are already pursuing several leads. He also instructed the Albay Provincial Police Office through PNP Bicol regional director Brigadier Gen. Nestor Babagay, Jr. to speed up their ongoing probe without compromising the integrity of the case.
“We are expediting the process but we also want to ensure that the evidence gathered will stand in court. We are not in a hurry but we are also not waiting,” Nartatez said.
Samar was described as a hard-hitting radio commentator, who was shot by still unidentified assailants along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Morera, Guinobatan, Albay. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries.
He was pronounced dead around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center, according to the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) ‘Samar’—the unit established by the PNP to focus on this case.
“The Philippine National Police extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Samar. We sympathize with their grief, and they can hope that we will not stop until justice is served,” Nartatez said.
As part of the ongoing intensified investigation, officials from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), PNP Bicol Command Group, and SITG Samar held a case conference at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City to discuss updates.
Investigators said they have begun gathering statements from witnesses, reviewing CCTV footage, and conducting forensic and ballistic examinations. The SITG is also set to reconstruct the crime scene to establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
In a related development, the PTFoMS also conducted a dialogue with members of the media to strengthen coordination between the Task Force and local media practitioners, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguard the welfare and security of journalists.
The PTFoMS representatives assured the continued availability and responsiveness of the Task Force to address the concerns and protection needs of media workers, especially those related to their safety in the performance of their duties.
Nartatez commended the swift action of PNP Bicol and reaffirmed the police force’s strong partnership with PTFoMS. He further assured the media community that the PNP remains steadfast in upholding press freedom and the protection of journalists.
“We will not allow violence against journalists to prevail. The PNP will exhaust all means to bring those responsible to justice. You can hope that it will not be overshadowed or ignored,” Nartatez said.
