DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 19 Aug) – The president of the Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club, who is also a blocktime radio announcer, died Wednesday morning after he was shot the night before in Tagum City.
In a text message, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Supt. Antonio Rivera identified the victim as Gregorio T. Ybañez, 67. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO).
The shooting happened 10:25 p.m. Tuesday when the victim was about to enter his home at Purok Santan, Barangay Magugpo North in Tagum when unidentified gunmen on board a Honda Fit vehicle shot him several times, police said.
The suspects fled immediately after the shooting.
The victim was immediately rushed to the Bishop Regan Memorial Hospital where he was revived. But he died at 5:55 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities recovered from the crime scene six cartridge cases and three slugs. Authorities are conducting investigation to determine identities of the suspects and establish the motive behind the killing.
Ybañez also served as president of the Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club.
In a separate text message, Presidential Communication Operations Office head Herminio Coloma condemned the killing. “The PNP is tasked with pursuing the suspects and bringing them to the bar of justice,” he said.
Another broadcast journalist, Rogelio “Tata” Butalid, was murdered in Tagum City in December 11, 2013.
