Surigao del sur: Surigao del Sur 2nd District Representative Alexander Pimentel on Monday condemned the killing of a broadcaster in Bislig City, and announced a PHP1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. Edwin Labitad Segovia, 63, a broadcaster for Bislig's Radio WOW FM, was fatally shot by unidentified attackers around 8:50 a.m. in Barangay Mangagoy. Segovia, widely known as 'Boy Pana' in the media community of Surigao del Sur and the Caraga Region, was a resident of Purok 2, Bogac District in Mangagoy.
According to Philippines News Agency, Pimentel strongly condemned the attack, labeling it as a "heinous and cowardly" act against a fellow Surigaonon. He emphasized that violence has no place in the community and pledged that acts aiming to silence free discourse of ideas will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Pimentel also stated that he and Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel are jointly offering the PHP1 million reward. He assured that coordination with local and national law enforcement is ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) reported that Bislig City Police Station personnel were dispatched to the scene immediately after a call from concerned citizens. Initial investigations revealed that Segovia had just finished hosting his radio program and was on his way home when the attack occurred. Police informed that Segovia was driving his motorcycle when two unidentified suspects on a black motorbike followed and shot him. The victim succumbed to a fatal gunshot to the head, as per the police report. Both the SDSPPO and local police in Bislig City are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the motive and apprehend the suspects.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) has activated its Special Investigation Task Group on New Cases. Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., PTFOMS executive director, stated that the task force is coordinating with the Philippine National Police Media Vanguards and the Media Citizens Council in the Caraga Region regarding the incident. Torres highlighted that the safety of journalists is a priority for the government, and justice for victims of media-related violence remains a national concern. He encouraged the public and media community to stay vigilant and share any information that could assist the investigation.
