Negros Oriental broadcaster running for councilor shot dead

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A radio broadcaster who is running for councilor in next year’ elections was killed by motorcycle-riding men in La Libertad, Negros Oriental yesterday.

Police said Gabby Alboro, 50, also known as Kumander Agila, a block timer at dyJL in Guihulngan City, suffered 13 gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Senior Inspector Danilo Santillan, La Libertad police chief, said Alboro was on his way home from a cockpit when he was shot in Sitio Magtalisay, Barangay Poblacion.

Santillan said probers are looking into a personal grudge as the motive for the killing.

Prior to the incident, Alboro was reportedly involved in an altercation at the cockpit over bets.

Alboro is the third radio journalist killed in Negros this year after anchorman Edmond Sestoso in Dumaguete City last April and volunteer radio reporter Julius Barellano in San Carlos City in June.

The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP)-Negros Occidental chapter condemned the killing.

Marchel Espina, NUJP-Negros chairperson, called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Espina said Alboro is the 13th journalist killed since President Duterte assumed office.

Peasant organizers

Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan condemned recent killings and arrests of peasant organizers in Negros Oriental.

The group cited the killing of six persons in raids against loose firearms and illegal drugs in Guihulngan and Sta. Catalina on Wednesday.

Karapatan said among the fatalities and those arrested in other areas in Negros Oriental are peasant organizers and their relatives.

The relatives of peasant organizer Margie Baylosis, one of those arrested in Mabinay town, claimed military and police personnel did not present search warrants and planted the guns seized from the suspects.

“Confirmation on the arrest of other peasant organizers will continue, but copies of search warrants... are not shown by the police,” Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said.

“Refusing to let Filipinos in peace even during the holidays, the PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) ... boasted of these murders and arrests... apparently, the more you kill... the more you are at favor with the top brass in this government,” Palabay said. – With Rhodina Villanueva