Isabela radio station ordered closed anew

CAUAYAN City, Isabela — The Commission on Elections (Co-melec) ordered the closure anew of Bombo Radyo dzNC here on the eve of Election Day.

It set aside its March 23 directive ordering the city government to allow the radio station to resume operations.

In an en banc resolution dated May 9, penned by Comelec Commissioner Rufino Javier, the poll body concurred with the Cauayan City government which ordered the closure of the radio station last Feb. 17 due to lack of a mayor’s permit.

The Comelec resolution was enforced at 12:40 p.m. yesterday by Senior Superintendent Delfin Millo, city police chief, who was escorted by at least 20 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group.

In ordering Bombo Radyo dzNC’s closure last February, the city government claimed that it failed to submit documents required for the issuance of a mayor’s permit.

City Mayor Caesar Dy said the radio station also violated a zoning ordinance mandating commercial establishments to conduct their businesses only in designated commercial areas.

Bombo Radyo dzNC manager Charmy Sabigan, however, said the station’s closure was politically motivated because of its critical stance against Dy. — Lito Salatan