PRO-6 chief Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño speaks on the shooting of a Capiz radio broadcaster. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – Media in Western Visayas region was urged to report any threats to the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the shooting of a radio broadcaster in Capiz province.
“Kung may mga banta sa kanilang buhay o seguridad, agad makipag-ugnayan sa PNP (If there are threats to their lives or security, immediately contact the PNP),” said Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Police Regional Office-6 chief. “Sisikapin po natin na mabigyan ng solusyon (We will try to find a solution),” added Tuaño.
Radio broadcaster Jay Lavapiez, station manager of Baskog Radyo, was unharmed in the June 22 shooting in Roxas City.
Tuaño said that media facing threats can be provided 30-day security protection under the PNP-Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG).
A former PNP spokesperson, Tuaño reiterated that the media should act immediately and approach the nearest PNP unit as well as PRO-6 Public Information Office.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been created to probe the incident.
Lavapiez is the husband of India “Mamang India” Lavapiez, a controversial radio commentator. They are facing numerous cyber libel cases for their below the belt radio commentaries.
The Lavapiez couple was linked to Patrocinio “Don” Chiyuto Jr., who is allegedly behind the multi-billion Ponzi investment scam that victimized Capiz residents during the pandemic.
Chiyuto was investigated for large scale estafa by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) while his investment company was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2021.
The last major media-related violence in Western Visayas was the April 29, 2025 murder of veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang in Kalibo, Aklan.