Politics eyed in slay of broadcaster in Agusan Sur

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities are eyeing politics as a possible motive in last week's killing of a local broadcaster in Agusan del Sur, police said Tuesday. In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV, Police Officer 2 Allan Conson of the Bayugan City police said they are investigating the possibility that local politics could be involved in the assassination of Jonathan Petalvero on the night of June 25. Aside from working as a broadcaster and block-timer for DXFM Friendster Radio, Petalvero was also an incumbent councilor of Brgy. Poblacion. He was reportedly planning to run either as municipal councilor or vice mayor in next year's elections. "So far ngayon still investigating pa rin. Isa rin sa tinututukan yon [politics angle], di pa talaga confirmed [So far we are still investigating. That is one of the possibilities that we are studying, it's still not confirmed]," Conson said. Petalvero was shot around 7:30 p.m. at the Rotunda in downtown Bayugan City last Thursday by a lone gunman aboard a motorcycle. The victim died after sustaining bullet wounds in his body. The suspect is still being hunted by local police, Conson said. The Philippines has been tagged by international media organizations such as the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists and the Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres as one of the most dangerous places for journalists. According to local media watch groups such as the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, around 100 journalists have been killed in the country since the restoration of democracy in 1986. - with a report from Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV