Radio broadcaster shot dead in Oriental Mindoro

A radio broadcaster was killed in a shooting incident in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro early Wednesday morning, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

Based on a police report, the victim identified as Cresenciano Bunduquin, 50 years old, was attacked by two  unidentified perpetrators at 4:20 a.m.

In a statement, the Police Regional Office (PRO) MIMAROPA said one of the two suspects on board a motorcycle shot Bunduquin in front of a sari-sari store.

Bunduquin was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead-on-arrival, according to PRO MIMAROPA.

The suspects, who fled the scene after committing the crime, are now subjects of a hot pursuit operation, police said.

In a separate statement, PNP public information office chief Police Brigadier Redrico Maranan said a Special Investigation Task Group will be created to conduct an in-depth investigation on the incident.

Maranan said PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda. Jr has directed Police Regional Office 4B and Calapan City Police Station to hasten the investigation and the identification of the perpetrators.

“The PNP will establish a Special Investigation Task Group to handle the investigation. This will pave way for a deeper probe to expedite the gathering of pieces of evidence and testimonies,” he said.

“We are maximizing our efforts to get more pieces of evidence and testimonies in order to shed light on this incident and facilitate the immediate arrest of the perpetrators,” Maranan added.

PRO MIMAROPA chief Police Brigadier General Joel Doria said the task group will be led by Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office chief Police Colonel Samuel Delorino.

Maranan, who is also a chief focal person for the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), said the PNP is contacting Bunduquin's family and work colleagues to gather more relevant information.

“While his work as a media representative involves discussion of critical issues, we cannot fully conclude as of this time that the motive is work-related, but we are exploring all possible angles as of this time,” he said.

“We assure our media colleagues that the PNP prioritizes the security of those working in the media industry. The PNP Media Vanguards will directly oversee the course of investigation of this incident,” Maranan added.

According to PRO MIMAROPA, Bunduquin was a radio commentator working for DWXR 101.7 Kalahi FM MUX Online Radio. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News