Another radio broadcaster killed

TACLOBAN CITY — A local radio broadcaster was shot dead Tuesday night by still unidentified men while on his way home in San Roque, Northern Samar.

Senior Superintendent Eusebio Mejos, Northern Samar police director, said Leo Mila of Radyo Natin, an affiliate station of the Manila Broadcasting Co.’s dzRH, was shot in the head and body and died on the spot.

Mejos said Mila, 35, a hard-hitting commentator, was attacked inside the compound of the radio station in Sitio Naperes, Barangay Zone 3, more than a kilometer away from the town proper of San Roque.

Investigators said the killing of Mila was apparently related to his commentaries including criticism of the revolutionary taxes collected by New People’s Army.

“Based on the initial investigation we are pinpointing an NPA hit squad now on their massive operation in the province of Northern Samar. We have been receiving reports of NPA sightings and at the same time we received intelligence reports that the rebels plan to attack some police stations in the province and we have long been on alert,” Mejos said.

Mila was the first media practitioner based in Northern Samar to have been murdered.

Ramon Noblejas of radio station dyVL was also shot dead inside the compound of the radio station in Tacloban City on Oct. 4, 1987. The case remains unsolved.

“We condemn in strongest terms the killing of Mila. We hope that his family will get justice,” Mejos said as he assured the victim’s relatives that a thorough investigation will be conducted to immediately arrest the suspects.

Mila who left behind his wife Gina and three children, was hosting the daily program “Himig Waraynon” at Radyo Natin.

The police have set up several checkpoints to block possible escape routes of the suspects.

Police said that last Nov. 17, another newsman Ariceo Padrigao, a commentator of the local radio dxRS Radyo Natin, was also killed in front of the Bukidnon State University in Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.

Padrigao had just brought his daughter to the school on board a motorcycle. Two unidentified suspects riding tandem on another motorcycle shot the victim.

Padrigao was the seventh journalist murdered in the Philippines since January and the 54th since President Arroyo assumed office in 2001.

Lawyer Reynaldo Esmeralda, NBI deputy director for Regional Operations Services (DDROS), said the bureau would also investigate the killing of Mila.

He said San Roque Mayor Andre Avalon requested the NBI to assist the local police in the investigation.

Esmeralda said the bureau would send agents to Samar to coordinate with the local police probers. - With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Sandy Araneta, AP