Two neophyte congressmen have sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the attempted murder of a radio commentator in Surigao City last Aug. 20.
Reps. Francisco Matugas and Guillermo Romarate Jr. of Surigao del Norte said the attempt on the life of Manuel Kong, a hard-hitting broadcaster of dxSN, a Catholic-run radio station, deserves to be investigated by an impartial body like the NBI.
The Media Association of Surigao (MASO) said a NBI probe on the attack on Kong – his second – would help ensure a fair and independent investigation, which the Surigao police may not guarantee.
In 2004, Kong was shot in the face. Last Monday, a lone gunman shot Kong while he was about to board his car in front of his radio station.
MASO convenor Jun Lera said many Surigaonons are convinced that local politics had something to do with the slay attempt on Kong, who has been at loggerheads with politicians in Surigao del Norte.
“If (a) clan is indeed behind the ambush on Kong, it is very unlikely for the police to dig deeper into the incident and unmask the hired gunman or his employers,” Lera said.
He claimed that local policemen fed the public with false information right after the incident.
“The disinformation attempt was launched to divert public attention away from the culprits. After this disinformation campaign, a cover-up in the probe should be expected,” he said.