Sorsogon radio reporter robbed, killed

LEGAZPI CITY  , Philippines  —  A volunteer radio reporter in Sorsogon believed to be a victim of robbery was found dead at a massage parlor and salon in Sorsogon City on Wednesday, reports reaching Camp General Simeon Ola showed.

John Michael Decano, 35, popularly known as “Jelai,” a resident of Barangay Talaonga in Magallanes town, was a volunteer reporter of Pasalinggaya News FM dwPY 88.1 based in Casiguran. He also worked as an attendant at Allan’s Body Massage and Parlor in Barangay Burabod. 

Chief Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said Decano’s body, which bore signs that he was hit by a hard object in the head, was found sprawled on the floor by his co-worker Jayson Doma Coyoca at 1:15 p.m. 

Calubaquib said the victim could have been hit by a concrete stove found near his body.

Decano’s personal belongings were reportedly missing. 

Superintendent Jeferson Araojo, Sorsogon City police chief, said they asked for footage of closed-circuit television cameras in front of the parlor to identify the assailant.

“We retrieved some personal items at the crime scene believed left by the suspect, who was possibly a visitor of the victim,” Araojo told The STAR.

Last December, Philippine Star correspondent Celso Amo was stabbed to death during a basketball game in Daraga, Albay. 

Radio commentator Joey Llana was shot dead by unidentified assailants in front of his house in Barangay Peñafrancia also in Daraga last July.