Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered law enforcement to ensure ‘speedy justice’ for radio broadcaster Noel Samar, who was shot by an unidentified gunman in Albay.
Samar was hit in the chest and abdomen on Monday morning in Guinobatan town, but he is now being treated at a Legazpi City hospital.
‘Lt. Gen. Nartatez directed the Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) to ensure speedy justice for Noel Bellen Samar, 54, a journalist affiliated with Kadunong ITV and DWIZ in Legazpi City,’ the top cop’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.
‘We are following leads about the motive in the shooting, including the personal and professional angles,’ it added.
Authorities have yet to determine the gunman’s identity and their motives.
Nartatez said investigators have already collected initial evidence and are now reviewing closed-circuit television footage.
‘We strongly condemn this attack against a member of the media. There is no place in our society for this kind of violence,’ Nartatez said in Filipino.
‘Our investigators’ coordination with the victim’s family and local media is also ongoing to collect additional information that may help determine and arrest the perpetrator,’ he added./mcm