Special task force probes shooting of Cebu radioman

CEBU CITY — A special police task force has been created to investigate the shooting of a broadcaster here last Thursday afternoon.

City police chief Cecil Ezra Sandalo has tasked Waterfront police chief Noel Gillamac to head the team since the shooting happened in his jurisdiction.

"This is a high-profile case because this is an assassination attempt on a mediaman," he said.

Sandalo said they are now focusing on a work-related angle, saying the attack on radioman Reynante Cortes could be in retaliation for his scathing commentaries against certain individuals.

He said they now have a suspect although they only have his alias for now. "It could be a gun-for-hire, a relative of the mastermind or a sympathizer," he said of the gunman.

Cortes and fellow broadcaster Lito Solon had just left the Customs building when the gunman, who was carrying a backpack, tried to bump into them.

Thinking they were in danger, Solon hurriedly ran toward their car parked only a few meters away, got his caliber .45 pistol in the backseat and loaded it with bullets.

Cortes was about to enter the front seat when the assailant ran toward them and fired thrice. The gun misfired twice but one shot hit Cortes in the hip.

The gunman then ran away. Solon said he wanted to give chase but feared that the gunman had other companions waiting nearby.

The gunman was described as between 25 and 30 years old, five feet, four inches tall and with fair-complexion. — Freeman News Service