New probe sought on broadcaster’s shooting

BUTUAN CITY , Philippines  – Militant and human rights groups as well as campus journalists have called for a parallel investigation into the shooting of a broadcaster in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on Thursday.

Motorcycle-riding men shot Julito Orillaneda, broadcaster and owner of station dxJB 106.4 FM, as he was   about to disembark from his motorcycle in front of his house. He suffered four gunshot wounds.

“It is not that we are accusing anybody here…It is only best for everybody that the case be investigated by an independent group,” said Modesto Villasanta of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and chairman of Karapatan in Surigao del Sur.

 Marihatag Mayor Raul Cubil has denied allegations that he was responsible for the shooting. Orillaneda is a known critic of the mayor.

Cubil ordered the police to conduct a thorough probe into the incident, his  spokesman Jerry Campos said.

Orillaneda remained confined in a hospital yesterday.