By BEN SERRANO, Correspondent and FROILAN GALLARDO, Special Correspondent
BUTUAN City–Police yesterday said the attempt on the life of a Surigao City-based broadcaster on Thursday could be workelated but they did not rule out the possibility that it was due to a boundary dispute.
Broadcaster Saturnino Estanio Jr. of radio station DxRS-Radyo Mo Nationwide (RMN), known for his stinging on-air crusade against the illegal drug trade, and his 12-year-old son survived the ambush staged by two men on a motorycycle at Purok 2, Sitio Bioborjan Settlers, Barangay Rizal, Surigao City past 5 pm Thursday.
The attack on Estanio, who once worked for radio station DxCC-RMN in Cagayan de Oro, came just hours after President Duterte took his oath of office, and tackled his administration’s planned anti-crime crusade in his inaugural speech. Estanio is the first media worker attacked by gunmen in the country during the Duterte administration.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Estanio suffered three gunshot wounds on his back but was reported in stable condition at a local hospital in Surigao City.
His son, however, is reported in serious condition. The NUJP did not identify the young boy.
NUJP chair Ryan Rosauro said Estanio, who anchors a radio program, is known for his critical commentaries against persons behind illegal drugs and illegal gambling in Surigao City.
Surigao police director Supt. Noel Silvosa said the 40-year old broadcaster told him about several possible motives for the gun attack when he visited Estanio in the hospital yesterday morning.
“We talked for seven minutes, and he confided to me,” said Silvosa.
One, he said, is related to Estanio’s work in the radio, and another is a boundary dispute with some of his neighbors.
Silvosa said Estanio was recuperating but he was saddened that the broadcaster’s young son and a bystander were wounded.
The bystander was identified as Allan Canibel, 52. He was hit by a bullet at the right shoulder.
Silvosa promised to investigate the Estanio case and bring the assailants to justice.
Jocelyn Ferol, RMN Surigao station program director, said the attempt on Estanio happened around 5 pm Thursday as he was about to get some goods from the trunk of his car.
Ferol narrated that despite his wounds, Estanio was able to drive his car to the hospital.
In a radio interview after the attack, Estanio said he noticed a motorcycle with two riders following his car.
He said he was able to catch a glimpse at the riders as they made the attack while he was getting out of the car.
Investigators found two empty shells and two cartridges outside Estanio’s house and near the front door while two slugs where found inside.
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