AFTER Bicolano broadcaster Noel Samar on Tuesday succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by still unidentified assailants in Guinobatan, Albay on October 20, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting National Police (PNP) chief, ordered operatives of the Bicol police command, to intensify the investigation and hunt for the killers.
‘The National Police extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Samar. Nakikiramay po kami sa kanilang pagdadalamhati, at makakaasa silang hindi kami titigil hanggang makamit ang hustisya [We are expressing our sympathies and we are assuring them that we will not stop until they get justice],’ Nartatez said in a statement on Wednesday.
Samar is a block-timer of Aliw Broadcasting’ dwIZ.
Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Samar, a special unit established by the PNP to hasten the investigation on the incident, the victim died around 2:20 p.m. on October 21 after his scheduled surgery at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center. He sustained four gunshot wounds in the chest and abdomen.
Nartatez said the Police Region Office 5 is treating the case as a top priority.
‘Our investigators from the Albay Provincial Police Office are already pursuing several leads. I have instructed Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., Bicol police commander, to solve the case as soon as possible. We are expediting the process but we also want to ensure that the evidence gathered will stand in court. Hindi po natin minamadali pero hindi rin natin tinatantanan [we will not be rushing this case but we will also not be stopping our investigation],’ he added.
As part of an intensified investigation, officials from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), PRO-5 Command Group, and SITG Samar held a case conference at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City to discuss updates on the ongoing investigation.
Investigators have begun gathering statements from witnesses, reviewing CCTV footage, and conducting forensic and ballistic examinations.
The SITG is also set to reconstruct the crime scene to establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
Nartatez commended the swift action of PRO-5 and reaffirmed the PNP’s strong partnership with PTFoMS.
He further assured the media community that the PNP remains steadfast in upholding press freedom and the protection of journalists.