Legazpi city: Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has directed the establishment of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident involving radio reporter Noel Bellen Samar in Guinobatan, Albay. This directive comes in response to the alarming attack that has raised concerns over the safety of journalists in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP is actively pursuing the gunman responsible for the attack on Samar, who is affiliated with Kadunong iTV and DWIZ in Legazpi City. The SITG ‘Samar’ has been formed to concentrate on building the case, gathering crucial evidence, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice.
Lt. Gen. Nartatez condemned the violent act, emphasizing that such incidents have no place in society. He urged the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) to investigate all possible angles to identify and apprehend those involved in the attack as swiftly as possible. Initial investigations reveal that Samar was shot in the chest and abdomen by an unidentified assailant along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Morera. He was quickly transported to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, while the shooter fled the scene.
Efforts to identify the suspect have been bolstered by the review of CCTV footage and the collection of initial evidence. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), led by Executive Director Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., has also deployed a team to assist in the investigation and to monitor Samar’s condition. Torres emphasized the need to end the climate of fear and intimidation against journalists and reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to ensuring their safety.
The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) echoed these sentiments, denouncing the attack as a “cowardly” act and urging the PNP to expedite efforts in tracking down and arresting the attacker. NPC president Leonel Abasola highlighted that any assault on a journalist threatens press freedom as a whole.
Local media organizations in Albay have also expressed their condemnation. DWIZ Legazpi, Samar’s station, described the attack as a direct assault on press freedom. The Albay Legazpi City Online Broadcasters Association and Albay Mainstream Media-Online Organization both called for justice and emphasized the threat such violence poses to democracy.
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Albay urged calm among media members and stressed the importance of protecting and respecting media practitioners. They appealed for due process to be observed while renewing the call for greater protection for media personnel.
In a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward, Albay 3rd District Rep. Adrian Salceda has offered a PHP25,000 cash reward for credible information regarding the shooting. He declared that this reward would be managed by the PNP and released to informants upon verification of the information. Salceda also announced an additional PHP25,000 support for Samar’s family, condemning the attack and asserting that such violence has no place in a civilized society or in the political landscape of Albay.
