Broadcaster Shot in Albay — PTFOMS: ‘Justice Must Be Served’

MANILA (October 21) — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) on Monday, October 20, condemned in the strongest terms the brazen attack on radio broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar, 54, who was shot by unidentified assailants along Maharlika Highway in Guinobatan, Albay.

Samar, a broadcaster affiliated with Kadunong ITV and DWIZ Legazpi City, sustained gunshot four gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen at around 9:00 a.m. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition, with doctors working to stabilize him.

In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) launched a nationwide hot pursuit operation to track down the suspect or suspects. The PNP also activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG “Samar”) to lead the probe, gather forensic evidence, and establish the motive behind the attack.

Guinobatan Polcie Chief PLtCol Joseph Imperialsaid their initial investigation showed It was possible that the suspect was tailing the victim who was heading to Ligao City, “With the intent of killing the victim.”

The police, according to Imperial will review all his media activities while they are retrieving the CCTV footages in the area where the incident took place.

“More than just hunting down the gunman or gunmen, it is crucial that we uncover the motive behind this heinous attack and bring the masterminds to justice,” said Usec. Jose Torres Jr., Executive Director, PTFOMS

Torres said PTFOMS has already deployed a monitoring and response team to Albay to ensure a thorough, impartial, and swift investigation.

He described the incident as not only an attack on an individual but a direct assault on press freedom and democracy in the country.

This act of violence is not only an attack on Mr. Samar but also an assault on press freedom in the country. We must send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated,” he said.
“The climate of fear and intimidation that threatens the lives of our journalists must end. PTFOMS remains committed to defending the rights of media workers to perform their duties without fear or harassment.”

Since its creation, PTFOMS which operates under the Office of the President, has been tasked with safeguarding media practitioners and addressing threats, harassment, and violence against journalists.

A PTFOMS case review shows that since 1986, there have been 199 reported incidents of violence or killings involving media practitioners across the Philippines. Of these, 75 cases were verified to be related to their work as journalists, 73 unrelated, while 12 remain under classification.

The deadliest attack on record remains the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, which claimed the lives of 32 journalists, marking one of the darkest chapters in Philippine press history.

Torres reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward attacks on journalists, calling on the public and local officials to assist in the investigation.

“We stand unwaveringly with the media community during these difficult times,” Torres stressed. “The government will do all it can to ensure the safety of journalists and to hold accountable those who dare silence the truth.”-Editha Z. Caduaya