Broadcaster killed in Mindoro

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, Philippines – A 66-year-old broadcaster and former vice governor of this province was shot and stabbed to death by a still unidentified suspect outside his house in San Jose town yesterday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Ceasar Miranda, Occidental Mindoro police chief, identified the victim as lawyer Crispin Perez, a commentator of local radio station dwDO Heart FM.

Investigators said Perez was talking with the suspect at around 10 a.m. in front of his house in Barangay 7 when the assailant pulled out a knife and stabbed him several times.

The suspect later used a caliber 45 pistol and shot Perez before he escaped.

Perez died on the way to the St. Magdalene Hospital.

“According to the wife of Perez she saw the suspect also talking with the victim last Monday,” Miranda said.

Miranda said there is another witness who could describe the gunman who allegedly posed as someone needing legal assistance before attacking the former vice governor.

Police have yet to determine the motive of the killing.

Perez served as board member in Occidental Mindoro last Feb. 2, 1988 to March 23, 1992 and as vice governor from 1992 to 1995.

Occidental Mindoro Gov. Josephine Sato said Perez was attacked at his home after his morning shift on the radio.

Sato said Perez made enemies because of his criticism of a supply contract between a local cooperative and a private power firm.

“I strongly believe that this is politically motivated,” she added.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists earlier this year said the Philippines was among several countries where media personnel are murdered with impunity. – With Cecile Suerte Felipe