Identify, arrest radio commentator’s killers, Bicol cops told

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered police units in Bicol region to exhaust all efforts to identify and arrest the killers of radio commentator Adrian Loterte of RBN News Television.

Loterte was tending to his bakery in Barangay San Roque when a man entered and shot him on Monday afternoon. Another man reportedly served as a lookout.

“I have directed concerned police units to follow all leads, gather and preserve critical evidence and intensify efforts to identify and arrest the killers,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement released yesterday.

Loterte was declared dead on arrival in a hospital due to gunshots to the chest.

The assailants escaped on a motorcycle, witnesses said.

The PNP condemned the incident and committed to deliver justice.

Bicol police director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio has formed a special investigation task group to look deeper into the incident.

Silvio said the assailants were last tracked in Camalig town.

Loterte was the 12th mediaman killed under the administration of President Marcos, according to Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director Jose Torres Jr.

Torres said Loterte had criticized politicians and other people suspected of involvement in illegal activities in Albay.

Loterte’s wife told police  that her husband did not received any death threat.

“We are looking at his commentaries, particularly regarding alleged illegal activities of some groups,” Torres said.