Journo shot dead in Sorsogon — police

A journalist was shot dead in Bacon District, Sorsogon City on Monday evening, police said Tuesday.

An initial information from the Police Regional Office V identified the victim as 39-year-old Jobert Balidoy Bercasio, a former radio reporter of local station dzMS and a resident of Purok 3, Sitio Dancalan in Barangay Buenavista.

Police said the victim was onboard his scooter near XTRM Seabreeze Homes Subdivision in Barangay Cabid-an when two unidentified men, wearing helmets and black jackets, shot him.

Authorities said Bercasio was shot four times by the suspects.

The suspects were able to escape from the crime scene.

Motive of the crime

Sorsogon City Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Benito Dipad said all angles would be looked into to determine the real motive of the crime.

He, however, said that based on accounts of Bercasio's colleagues at work, the journalist supposedly had some enemies.

"Lahat ng anggulo po tinitingnan natin at 'yung motibo po ay di pa natin madetermine at marami din po kasi siyang, kung baga 'yung inaatake niya sa kaniyang programa," Dipad said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

"Then maliban din po doon, mayroon din siyang mga personal na kaaway kaya lahat po ng anggulo tinitingnan natin," he added.

Dipad also mentioned that Bercasio, through online TV show Balangibog, was making negative comments about politicians.

"Doon siya nag-aano ng mga komento, mga binabanatan niya mostly po mga pulitiko..." he said.

Dipad said investigators would talk to the family of Bercasio. They will also check the CCTV footage in the crime scene to help in hunting the suspects.

Philippine National Police spokesman Police Colonel Ysmael Yu said the Sorsogon Provincial Police Office was directed to activate a special investigation task group that will look into the incident.

"Sa ating parte at sa local police dito, malaking bagay 'yun kasi marami akong makakatulong sa pagsosolve ng kaso," Dipad said.

A follow-up operation is ongoing to determine and arrest the suspects. 

Meanwhile, Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero condemned the killing of Bercasio.

"Any attack or killing of a journalist or a mediaman is also an attack on the very same freedom that we swore to uphold and protect," Escudero said in a Facebook post.

"My sincerest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Polpog," he added.

He directed the local police to conduct a thorough probe on the crime. — RSJ, GMA News