Rowegie Abanto

Article (news)

THUMBNAIL-CRIME

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police on Tuesday strongly condemned the shooting of broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar in Albay and launched a manhunt to apprehend the perpetrator behind the attack.</p><p>Samar was shot by an unidentified assailant at around 9:05 a.m. on Monday, October 20, along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Morera, Guinobatan.</p><p>He sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen and was rushed to the hospital.</p><p>Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, condemned the violence as he stressed that the crime against the journalist has no place in society.</p><p>&quot;We recognize the important role that journalists play in promoting transparency and accountability in government,&quot; he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/9/11/freedom-of-the-press-at-its-lowest-in-50-years-study-0852">Freedom of the press at its lowest in 50 years: study</a></div><p>Nartatez ordered the Police Regional Office 5 to expedite the investigation and ensure all those behind the attack are brought to justice.</p><p>A Special Investigation Task Group &quot;Samar&quot; was formed to lead the case build-up and coordinate with other agencies.</p><p>Nartatez said they are now following leads regarding the motive of the shooting, as well as possible personal and professional angles.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/19/journalist-patricia-evangelista-condemns-media-killings-in-gaza-in-frankfurt-book-fair-talk-1146">Journalist Patricia Evangelista condemns media killings in Gaza at Frankfurt Book Fair talk</a></div><p>Investigators are also coordinating with the family of the victim and local journalists to collect more information that would help pinpoint the identity of the shooter, he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;ASSAULT ON PRESS FREEDOM&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Albay Chapter condemned the incident, describing it as not just a personal attack but a threat to press freedom in the province.</p><p>&quot;NUJP Albay urges investigators to examine any link to Samar&#x27;s broadcasting work, as such an attack would not only be a personal injustice but a direct assault on press freedom in the province,&quot; NUJP said in a statement.</p><p>The shooting of Samar marks yet another alarming incident in a country where journalists remain vulnerable to violence and threats.</p><p>&quot;We must put an end to the continuing media impunity that threatens the safety of journalists in the country,&quot; the journalists&#x27; group said.</p><p>As of this writing, Samar is still recovering in Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center in Daraga.</p>

<p>The Philippine National Police on Tuesday strongly condemned the shooting of Bicolano broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar and launched a manhunt to apprehend the perpetrator behind the attack.</p>

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday strongly condemned the shooting of Bicolano broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar and launched a manhunt to apprehend the perpetrator behind the attack.

PNP condemns shooting of Albay radioman, launches manhunt

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PNP condemns shooting of Albay radioman, launches manhunt

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 21, 2025 09:42 AM PHT

Read More:

Noel Bellen Samar

Crime

Radio Broadcaster

Albay

Bicol

press

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