Kalinga broadcaster survives slay try

A crusading broadcaster of government-run Radyo ng Bayan station station in Tabuk, capital town of Kalinga province, was wounded when a still unidentified gunman shot him at close range as he reported for work on Friday, a journalist group said Saturday. In a statement issued by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Jerome Tabanganay, 44, recounted that he was stepping through the door of Radyo ng Bayan station in Bulanao Norte, Tabuk, to anchor his regular 7-9 a.m. program “Agenda" when a man approached and asked his name. When he asked why, and the man asked for his name again, Tabanganay sensed danger and ran into the station. The gunman fired at least four times, hitting Tabanganay in the knee and back of his right leg, he told colleagues at the hospital where he was taken It was later learned the gunman was one of two men onboard a red motorcycle who had apparently waited in the grounds of the station for Tabanganay, whose regular criticism of criminality and corruption have made his program one of the most popular in Kalinga. Regino Wacas, president of the Kalinga Media Club (KAMEC), said he was just winding up his program "Dateline Balbalan" at the same station when he heard the gunfire. Wacas said he rushed to his fallen colleague, who was shouting for help, and took him to a safer place inside the station. Wacas, speaking on behalf of the KAMEC, condemned the attempt on the life of Tabanganay who, he said, was merely fulfilling his duty as a broadcaster and should not be silenced.—JV, GMANews.TV