MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/29 November) – On Saturday, he claimed to have been a victim of an ambush on the same day in Valencia City. But as far as the police are concerned, it was Randy Makiputin, a broadcaster in Maramag town in Bukidnon who shot his alleged attackers.
Bukidnon police director Sr. Supt. Nerio Bermudo told MindaNews they will file a complaint Tuesday against Makiputin but that it would be up to the prosecutor’s office to determine the appropriate charges to be filed.
Makiputin is connected with Radyo Abante in Maramag where he anchors the program Super Gitik (Super Tickle) which focuses on music and jokes.
Roxanne Mabao, administrative officer of Radyo Abante said Makiputin is not known to be hard-hitting, although he claimed to have received death threats in 2008 and earlier this year.
Bermudo said that as per their investigation, it was Makiputin who drew his firearm and shot one Rene Saligumba after the broadcaster’s motorbike crashed upon bumping Saligumba, in Purok 6, Valencia.
The police official said four witnesses have executed affidavits saying there was no ambush but that it was Makiputin who fired at Saligumba but missed.
“After the incident, Makiputin went to the hospital and lied to the hospital staff about being ambushed,” said Bermudo.
He added that they are still verifying if Makiputin’s firearm is licensed.
Dr. Carlo Toga, attending physician of Makiputin at the Sanitarium Hospital in Valencia said the wound in Makiputin’s head was not caused by a bullet but by being hit with a hard object.
JV Deveza, Safety Officer of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said they will defer to the police investigation.
The NUJP had earlier issued an alert about the alleged attack on Makiputin but later on said that the incident may not have been related to his work as a journalist. (BenCyrus G. Ellorin/MindaNews)