CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- A radio block time anchor here was shot dead a few footsteps away from his residence at Area 2, Sitio Macanhan, Barangay Carmen this city on Wednesday, June 29.
The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) identified the victim as Federico Gempesaw, 62, a radio block time anchor from 106.3 Radyo Natin FM Cagayan de Oro.
The unidentified suspects were riding-in-tandem.
Major Mario Mantala Jr., the Carmen police station chief, told reporters that based on the statement from some witnesses, there was a commotion before the suspects shot the victim.
Investigation revealed the suspects used caliber 45 pistol and the victim sustained gunshot wounds in his right eyebrow and at the back portion of his head.
As of this writing, the police investigation has been ongoing to determine the identities of the suspects and the motive in the killing.
Manatala added the gunman, based on the statement from some witnesses, was wearing a brown striped shirt with brown shorts and wearing a helmet, while the driver was in a black jacket and wearing a cap.
The Carmen police chief said the suspects went straight to the lower portion of Barangay Carmen, which caused the cops to immediately conduct a hot pursuit operation.
Meanwhile, the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COCPO), in a statement, strongly condemned the shooting of Gempesaw and asked the COCPO to provide thorough investigation to determine the motive and the suspects.
Aside from the city police, the COPC also called the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to be the partner of COCPO in investigating the shooting incident and expressed hope that the case would also reach the Presidential Task Force on Media Killings.
“It is believed that this incident will continue if the crime is not solved and another life of the media member will be lost,” the statement read, signed by COPC President Frank Mendez.
In his response, COCPO director Col. Aaron Mandia, on the other hand, in a text message, told Manila Bulletin that he assured COPC of an intensive investigation to solve the case.
“Yes. After the incident, we have already conducted and we will check all the available CCTVs ,” Mandia said.
Mantala urged the public to immediately report to the police if they receive any information pertaining to the whereabouts of the suspects.