Slain Kalinga radio man's kin seek police protection

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The family of a slain Kalinga-based journalist has sought police protection amid threats following the killing.

Chief Inspector Glen Ganpac, police chief of Tabuk City, the capital of Kalinga, said family members of the late Jose Daguio, especially his son Joey, have asked for their assistance in the wake of these threats.

“In fact, (Daguio’s) family has already left their place due to (these) threats. His son Joey is now in our custody for his safety,” Ganpac said.

Daguio, 75, the first journalist killed under the Aquino administration, used to work with dzRK Radyo Natin-Kalinga. He was a member of the Kalinga Media Board at the time of his killing.

Daguio’s son Joey reportedly saw the gunman of his father, who was shot in the chest at close range with a shotgun in their house in Tabuk’s Barangay Tuga on the night of July 3. 

Last week, the body of the suspected triggerman, Lando Bilog, was found along the remote Isabela-Kalinga border. 

Bilog’s death, police said, came as the court was set to release the arrest warrant for him and four other suspects, Edmund Bilog, Willy Bilog, Daldin Guilawan, and Edgar Guilawan. 

The suspects, said to be involved in cattle rustling, reportedly thought that Daguio was a police informer.