ILOILO CITY – Police Regional Office-6 chief Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco has ordered an in-depth probe on the attack against radio commentator Florencio “Flo” Hervias III here on Friday, Oct. 7.
“I have instructed for the thorough investigation of this incident and file the necessary criminal charges in court,” said Francisco.
Francisco gave the marching orders to Major Jose Val Ladublan, La Paz District station commander, that is under the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Under the helm of Francisco, PRO-6 is heading the call of the government that “to identify and prevent all threats and violence against journalists and other media practitioners.”
“PRO-6 does not tolerate these acts involving our media personalities in (Iloilo) and Western Visayas,” emphasized Francisco.
Francisco also ordered Col. Leo Batiles, ICPO director, to provide safety and protection to Hervias as well other media personalities who need it.
The 54-year-old Hervias sustained lacerations on his face after three men mauled him outside the RMN-Iloilo radio station in La Paz District before 11 a.m.
He was attacked right after he and colleague Roy Cejar finished their blocktime radio program "Banwa, Binag-Binaga.”
Hervias was assaulted days after hard-hitting radio commentator Percy Lapid was killed in Las Pinas City.
The daylight attack on Hervias was widely condemned.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Iloilo chapter said the Hervias incident was a manifestation that “assaults against Filipino media workers have become more brazen.”
“Persons who perpetuate these kinds of actions should be condemned by all,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas here in a statement.
NUJP-Iloilo and Treñas urged the police to apprehend the assailants at the soonest possible time.