Surigao execs order probe on slay try vs radioman

SURIGAO CITY — Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers and Vice Gov. Rodolfo Navarro have ordered an investigation into the slay attempt on a radioman last Oct. 21.

Barbers, 33, eldest son of Surigaonon Sen. Robert Barbers, also offered a cash reward for anybody who can give information leading to the arrest of two men who tried to kill radio commentator Manny Kong, 51, spokesman of former Surigao del Norte governor Francisco Matugas.

Police still have no clues on the slay attempt.

Barbers and Navarro said it was absurd to say that politics may have something to do with the incident when police investigators have yet to come up with anything.

The two officials said police should also look into other possible angles like Kong’s troubled married life, grudges of people whom the radioman had criticized in his program and the possible involvement of the New People’s Army.

Navarro said Kong’s two sons from his first marriage and whom he reportedly left in Siargao, are now employed by Barbers.

Kong’s second wife, Marilyn, whom the radioman also left allegedly for another woman, is also seeking Barbers’ help, Navarro said.

Kong hosts a program every Wednesday and Saturday on local radio station dxSN.

In a press statement, Barbers said that despite Kong’s "fierce and sometimes, personal commentaries" against his father and political allies, he (the governor) has forgiven Kong and political rivals sponsoring him.

"Kong reported over the radio almost daily that Sen. Barbers was already dead, paralyzed or even had tubes in his body especially when my father was in the United States to undergo major surgery, but we never minded it. We have forgiven all our political adversaries. This is life, you win friends, lose them and you also gain enemies," Barbers said.

He added: "Our family and political allies are waiting with open arms for political unification of the already divided political landscape in this city and in the province. We have to unite in order to go forward. We have so many problems, especially financial... but we don’t want to create more."

Navarro, for his part, appealed to the political opposition to stop using Kong and the media to advance their plans for the 2004 elections.

Navarro described the opposition’s move as a desperate act to use the incident to gain the support and sympathy of Surigaonons.