Albay journalist dies after gun attack
MANILA, Philippines — A local broadcast journalist in Albay died in a hospital on Monday afternoon, October 12, more than an hour after unidentified gunmen shot him at his business spot in Daraga town.
The victim, Adrian "Golden Boy" Loterte, who was an anchor of local online news platform RBN News Television, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen at around 4:10 p.m, while working at his bakery shop in Purok 4, Brgy. San Roque, according to initial reports.
The victim was immediately brought to Daraga Doctors Hospital to treat his gunshot wounds, but was pronounced dead at 5:35 p.m.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Albay Provincial Office said in a statement that the gunmen riding a black and white Honda Click motorcycle fired multiple shots at Lotarte and immediately fled toward Brgy. Kimantong.
Local media group Albay Press Club condemned the incident and called on the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) to help in the investigation.
“No journalist or media practitioner should have to fear for their life while performing their duty to inform the public. Attacks against media workers are not only attacks on individuals but also threats to press freedom and the public’s right to know,” Albay Press Club said.
Authorities are yet to find the motive for Lotarte’s killing, and whether it is related to his work as a member of the press.
Probe underway. The Albay police have formed a Special Investigation Group (SITG) to look into the details of the incident as probes are underway.
A hot pursuit operation was also launched to locate the alleged suspects.
In the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries in terms of freedom and safety of the press.
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