Rebel group likens the shooting to Martial Law

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The New People’s Army (NPA) Leonardo Panaligan Command, which operates throughout central Negros, condemned the attack on a home owned by local radio broadcaster Rey Siason last Wednesday evening in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

In a statement by spokesperson Ka JB Regalado, he said Siason’s broadcasts over local radio station MUEWS FM are “fair and balanced,” especially his radio program “Borderline,” which he referred to as “educative, informative, and entertaining.”

The NPA spokesperson called the incident “the latest in the growing number of violence against journalists in Negros Occidental,” following the murder of Edmund Sestoso in Dumaguete City; along with the mauling of another MUEWS FM broadcaster, Panay News writer Ranie Azue, earlier this year.

Regalado went on to label the incident a “clear manifestation of Martial Law in the country,” claiming President Rodrigo Duterte is trying to “stop the truth from coming out.” However, he said the shooting was the result of corrupt officials and bureaucrats trying to suppress critics.

Despite putting out a challenge to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to investigate the incident and arrest the perpetrators quickly, he said the rebel group would also be conducting their own investigation and threatened the still-unidentified suspects with death.

Earlier this week, Siason’s home at the Carmela Valley Homes Subdivision was fired upon by two unidentified gunmen.

The media personality was not at home during the attack and was only informed of the incident after his daughter contacted him.

Police recovered seven bullet fragments and an empty .45 caliber shell from the crime scene.

Siason admitted he had been receiving death threats since last year as he also serves as a media witness for drug-related arrests.

Talisay City police are presently investigating the incident./DGB, WDJ