Radio reporter survives slay try

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A radio reporter in this city had survived an slay attempt by unidentified gunmen shortly before midnight of Tuesday.

The 43-year-old Jonavin "Jhey-R" Villalva of Manila Broadcasting Company's Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo was repeatedly shot while he was about to enter his house at Cuartero Highway in Jaro district of this city.

According to police reports, Villalva just came from his radio program and drove home on his motorcycle while the motorcycle riding-in-tandem assailants tailed him. When he was opening the gate of his house, the gunmen dashed past him.

The assailants, wearing jackets and full-face helmets, opened fired at Villalva hitting him on the right ankle and left toe. The victim was rushed to the Iloilo Mission Hospital and is now in stable condition, while the gunmen sped off towards the direction of Pavia town.

Recovered from the crime scene were  nine empty shells of  bullets of a .9mm pistol and three deformed slugs.

After the incident, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Sr. Supt. Cornelio Salinas ordered the police stations in Oton, Pavia, Leganes, San Miguel and nearby towns to set up checkpoints to capture the fleeing suspects.

Villalva, for his part, told the police he had no suspects in mind because he had no known enemies. 

Jaro Police station head, Chief Insp. Rhea Santos said: "If it's work-related, we could not say for now. Kasi sabi nya, he's not been making commentaries on sensitive issues. He has not received any death threats."

On top of the security at the premises of the hospital where Villalva is confined, the police will also provide security to Villalva's residence.

Meanwhile, Francis Allan Angelo, president of the Iloilo Press Club, immediately issued a statement of condemnation of the slay try. "We are saddened and at the same time outraged by the cowardly attack on IPC board of directors member and Aksyon Radyo reporter JR Villalva. This dastardly act has no place in a democratic society," the statement said.

"Physical attacks on members of the Fourth Estate and innocent civilians can never be justified. It also has serious implications to claims that the city remains peaceful. The police and local officials must prove that they can protect us by conducting and honest to goodness investigation especially the alleged delay in the police's response to the incident," it added. (FREEMAN)