Sorsogon radioman shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - Two men gunned down a 56-year-old provincial radio broadcaster at his home in Barangay Tagdon, Barcelona, Sorsogon Tuesday night, the police said.

Radio dzMS blocktimer Teodoro “Tio Todoy” Escanilla didn’t stand a chance when his assailants used a caliber .45 pistol and an M-16 rifle.

Escanilla anchored the “Pamana ng Lahi” program every Saturday. He was also chairman of Anakpawis and spokesman for the left-leaning human rights group Karapatan in Sorsogon.

Initial investigation showed that Escanilla was entertaining an unidentified guest inside the family’s residential compound when another man arrived and started shooting. His wife Eden failed to identify either attacker.

Escanilla’s killing came a day after the murder of Gregorio Ybanes, publisher of Kabuhayan News Services and president of a media club in Davao del Norte.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has arrested Joel Sabatin Namoc, a suspect in the killing of radio broadcaster Godofredo Linao in Surigao del Sur six years ago.

Chief Insp. Dick Cale led the team that nabbed Namoc in Barangay 185, Caloocan City after a year-long surveillance and intelligence gathering. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe