Pagadian spokesman-broadcaster slain

Rolando Canete, a radio block timer who also worked as a spokesman to a local politician, was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-riding men last 20 January in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Local police said the victim died on the spot from three gunshot wounds, after the assailants drew up beside Canete and shot him repeatedly.

Canete bought airtime from radio station, dxPR, and allegedly used his program to blast political rivals of Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles and wife Gov. Aurora Cerilles, for whom the victim officially provided public relations services.

This was confirmed by several sources from the local media and police investigators, who said politics may be a motive in the killing. Police are still questioning the victim’s relatives and family members to determine the suspects’ identity and the possible motives for Canete’s slay.

Canete’s murder came a little over a month after a Cebu City court convicted ex-policeman Guillermo Wapile to life sentence for gunning down fellow Pagadian journalist, Edgar Damalerio.

Canete was the fourth media practitioner to be slain in Pagadian after Olimpio
Jalapit (also of dxPR, 2000), Mohammad Yusoph (2001), and Damalerio (2002). Pagadian is known for alleged corruption and guns-for-hire business.

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