Radio volunteer reporter gunned down in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Motorcycle-riding gunmen yesterday shot and killed a volunteer reporter of a radio station in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Police said Julius Barellano, a volunteer-reporter of the Radyo Bandera Sweet-FM Bacolod, died from multiple gunshot wounds on the way to the San Carlos City District Hospital.

San Carlos City police chief Supt. D’Artagnan Katalbas said Barellano was standing in front of his house in Barangay Rizal when he was shot at close range by one of the suspects riding a motorcycle.

Katalbas said they have not received any reports on threats against Barellano.

Provincial police director Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil ordered an in-depth investigation of the killing and establish its motive.

Barellano also served as chairman of Hacienda Medina Farm Workers Association, a local chapter of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers (NFSW) in San Carlos City.

The management of Radyo Bandera-Bacolod and the Negros Press Club (NPC) condemned the killing of Barellano.

NPC president Renato Duran also called on authorities to immediately investigate the incident to give justice to the victim’s family.

Eljohn Castano, Radyo Bandera Sweet-FM manager, said the killing of Barellano took place as they also marked the first anniversary of their operation in Bacolod City.

Castano said they will wait for the result of the official investigation, “even as we seek justice for our colleague.”

Castano said the Presidential Task Force on Media Security sent a message that it will conduct a probe of the incident as soon as possible.

The NFSW in a statement said the killing of Barellano may have been related to a land conflict.