Philippines: Injured broadcaster dies after shooting attack

Filipino radio broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar died on October 21 after sustaining gunshot wounds in a shooting attack a day earlier on October 20 in the northern island of Luzon. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) strongly condemn Samar's killing and demand an immediate investigation into the circumstances of this brazen attack.

Radio broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar died on October 21 after sustaining gunshot wounds in a shooting attack on October 20. Credit: Facebook

The 54-year-old "blocktime" broadcaster from Southern Luzon's Bicol region sustainedfour gunshot wounds in the attack, to both his chest and abdomen. He was targeted while travelling along the Maharlika Highway in Albay province by two unidentified assailants on motorcycles. The attackers allegedly tailed Samar before the ambush and fledthe scene.

The wounded broadcaster was rushed to a local hospital in Ligao City before being transferred to the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Centre, where he diedfrom his injuries after emergency surgery. Known on air as "Mr Bull's Eye," Samar served as station manager of Kadunong Internet TV and hostedprograms on DWIZ News FM and Radyo ng Libon in Albay province.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launcheda nationwide operation to locate and arrest the suspects, and a Special Investigation Task Group was established to lead the investigation. While the motive for the killing is unclear, the NUJP urgedinvestigating authorities to identify any link to Samar's broadcasting work, warning that attacks on journalists are "a direct assault on press freedom in the province."

The PNP's regional office director, Nestor C Babagay Jr, condemnedthe killing, calling it a "senseless act of violence against a member of the media". Jose Torres Jr, from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, also denouncedthe incident as "an assault on press freedom." Media outlets nationwide have condemnedthe attack.

The murder of Samar follows the shooting murders of two other media workers in the Philippines this year. On July 21, Mindanao-based broadcaster Erwin Labitad Segovia was gunneddown in Bislig City by unidentified assailants, and on April 29, senior print journalist Juan "Johnny" Dayang was killedafter being fired upon in his residence in Aklan province.

The NUJP said: "No journalist should face death by simply performing their duty in reporting the truth. Threats and other forms of attacks will not persist if the Marcos Jr. administration is serious about ending impunity."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The IFJ strongly condemns the murder of radio broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar. Filipino journalists remain in the firing line and must be allowed to carry out their journalistic duties without fear of violence. The Marcos administration must take urgent and concrete action to guarantee the safety and protection of media workers nationwide."