MALACAÑANG condemned on Friday the killings of two media men who were murdered in just days apart during the week.
“We condemn the killing of Teodoro Escanilla. The authorities will go after the suspects and will bring them to face justice,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a text message to the Malacañang Press Corps yesterday.
Escanilla, a radio broadcaster in Sorsogon, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants outside his house Wednesday evening, police said.
Supt. Nonito Marquez, spokesman of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, identified the victim as Teodoro Escanilla, 59, a block timer of DZMS station in Sorsogon, resident of Barangay Tagdon, Barcelona town.
The killing of Escanilla followed the death of Gregorio Ybañez, another media worker, who was shot dead by a lone gunman in Davao del Norte Tuesday.
Escanilla hosted the radio program “Pamana ng Lahi” aired every Saturday over DZMS.
Police said Escanilla is also a spokesman of the human rights group Karapatan and chairman of Anak Pawis chapter in Sorsogon.
Marquez said Escanilla was shot by an Armalite rifle and 9mm pistol at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday. Crime scene investigators recovered five cartridges of M-16 rifle and three slugs of caliber 45 pistol.
Escanilla was talking to somebody outside his house when one of the supposed suspects appeared and shot him. A task force has been formed to resolve the case swiftly.
Last Wednesday, Malacanang also issued a statement condemning the killing of Gregorio Ybanez.
“We strongly condemn the killing of Mr. Gregory Ybanez, President of the Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club in Tagum City, Davao del Norte (Tuesday night). The PNP is tasked with pursuing the suspects and bringing them to the bar of justice,” Coloma said.
According to Coloma, Ybanez was shot dead last Tuesday night at around 10 p.m. at his house in Mirafuentes, Magugpo North, Davao del Norte.
Ybanez was declared dead at around 6 a.m. the following day. Police has yet to establish a motive, but City Police Information Officer Anjanette Tirador said the shooting of Ybanez was planned based on initial investigation.