Ambushed Camarines Sur broadcaster dies

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines  – Ambushed Camarines Sur broadcaster Miguel Belen died early morning yesterday after having been confined for 20-days at the Doña Maria Jesefa Foundation Hospital, the police said.

Superintendent Eliciar Bron, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police in Bicol, said that Belen expired at about 4:30 a.m. inside the hospital where he was confined.

Reports said that the broadcaster died from an infection at the large intestine from a bullet wound he sustained on July 9.

Bron said that the frustrated murder case filed against one of the suspects, Eric Vargas is still pending and Belen’s affidavit can be used as a dying declaration but should be corroborated by another witness.

“Task Force Belen together with the help of other government agencies are now trying to convince a witness to cooperate and identify the other suspect,” Bron told The STAR in a text message.

Among the pictures to be shown for the identification of one of the suspects is a certain Gina Bagacina a.k.a. “Liezel” the one who shot the suspect and other members of the rob gang.

Bron added that another amended information on the frustrated murder case will be filed in the fiscal’s office in the light of Belen’s death.

The suspect Eric Vargas has already sought police protection due to fear for his life.

Belen has been closely guarded by a platoon of policemen inside his ward immediately after he was confined and Chief Superintendent Cecilio Calleja, Jr. Bicol police director ordered the formation of Task Force Belen.

Task Force Belen has a P75,000 reward for any person who can point to the whereabouts of the suspects.

The former broadcaster was on board a motorcycle while going home July 9 at about 8:30 p.m. at Zone 3, Barangay San Jose Pagaraon in Nabua town, Camarines Sur when he was shot by two suspects.

Belen appeared stable after he was brought to the hospital. He suffered at least seven gun shot wounds in the body when bystanders rushed rushed him to the hospital.