Grudge, work eyed in broadcaster’s slay try

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – A gun attack on Thursday that left broadcaster Saturnino “John” Estaño Jr. of dxRS-RMN in Surigao City wounded could either be work-related or due to a grudge, police said yesterday.

“We talked for seven minutes when I visited him this morning at the Surigao Medical Center…he confided to me several motives. One is about his conflict with his neighbors...which is personal in nature,” Superintendent Noel Silvosa, Surigao City police director, told The STAR. 

Estaño and his 12-year-old son were about to transfer some goods they brought home at around 5 p.m. when two men on a motorcycle appeared from behind and opened fire.

Estaño sustained three gunshot wounds while his son was hit in the chest. A bystander identified as Allan Canibel was hit in the shoulder.

Prior to the incident, Estaño’s colleagues said the victim had been making critical commentaries about gambling, illegal drugs and alleged corruption in some government agencies.