NBI joins probe on GenSan journalist's slay

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday said they are looking at several leads in the Jan. 5 killing of General Santos journalist Christopher Guarin.

NBI-Sarangani and General Santos regional director Angelito Magno said, “We are looking at several angles, including work-related angles.”

Prior to the killing, Magno said Guarin had received death threats. “He would even read these death threats sent through text messages during his radio program,” he said.

Magno has also instructed lawyer Noel Morales to conduct a parallel investigation.

Magno, however, said they must first establish the background of Guarin. “We have initially talked to his wife and colleagues at work to establish a good background,” he said.

Two men, riding tandem on a motorcycle, attacked the 41-year-old Guarin as he, together with his wife Lyn and their nine-year-old daughter, was on his way home to Sunrise Subdivision in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City at around 10 p.m. last Jan. 5.

The gunmen were reportedly armed with handguns.

Guarin reportedly told his wife and daughter to drop to the floor of their car as he jumped out and ran away. But the gunmen chased him and finished him off with more gunshots.