Media, civic teams search justice for slain broadcaster in Albay

NUJP–Albay denounces the assault on Noel Samar, calling it a blatant assault on press freedom within the province

ALBAY, Philippines – Native media and group organizations in Albay have known as for justice following the killing of broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar, 54, who was shot in Guinobatan city, Albay, on Monday, October 20.

The Philippine Nationwide Police (PNP)–Guinobatan confirmed that the incident occurred in Barangay Morera, the place an unidentified suspect shot Samar and fled towards an unknown path. Investigators recovered 9 empty .45-caliber shells on the scene. The sufferer  sustained 4 gunshot wounds and was left gravely injured.

Samar was delivered to the Josefina Belmonte Duran Albay Provincial Hospital in Ligao Metropolis and later transferred to the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Middle in Daraga, the place he was pronounced useless on Tuesday, October 21.

The Nationwide Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)–Albay chapter emphasised that whereas the motive behind the killing has but to be decided, investigators should additionally look intently into Samar’s work as a broadcaster. The group described the assault as a direct affront to press freedom within the province.

“NUJP Albay urges investigators to look at any hyperlink to Samar’s broadcasting work, as such an assault wouldn’t solely be a private injustice however a direct assault on press freedom within the province,” the chapter mentioned in a assertion.

The Provincial Authorities of Albay (PGA) additionally condemned the assault, saying it was each an assault on Samar and on press freedom.

“Variations in political beliefs and social opinions don’t justify illegal assaults or harassment. Silencing critics and opponents has no place in a democratic society,” the provincial authorities mentioned in a assertion.

Samar was a recognized vocal critic of the present Rosal administration in Albay, usually airing sharp commentaries in his applications and public posts.

The PGA additionally vowed to help authorities in guaranteeing a swift and thorough investigation into the case.

Mr. Bull’s Eye

Samar hosted his personal radio program, Mr. Bull’s Eye, and managed Kadunong Web TV. He additionally aired commentaries on 92.3 DWIZ–Legazpi South Luzon and 95.7 DWBC–Radyo ng Libon, the place he was recognized for his sharp commentaries and “sizzling takes” on native and political points.

The Involved Artists of the Philippines (CAP)–Bicol Chapter decried the assault on Samar, calling for a partial, clear, and accountable investigation that may guarantee justice for Samar and his household.

“This violent act is an affront not solely to at least one particular person however to freedom of expression and the individuals’s proper to reality and accountability. An assault on a journalist is an assault on all who converse, create, and battle for a society the place voices are heard and tales are instructed with out worry,” CAP–Bicol mentioned.

The group emphasised that such assaults have lengthy been used to silence those that expose corruption and converse reality about group points. CAP urged the general public to face with the media and defend the collective proper to talk reality to energy.

“Violence and intimidation have lengthy been used to silence artists, journalists, and truth-tellers who dare to problem abuse and corruption,” the group added. “We refuse to be silenced. Freedom of the press, inventive freedom, and freedom of expression are inseparable pillars of a democratic and humane society.”

Media assaults 

Samar’s case is just one among the many persistent assaults in opposition to journalists and press freedom in Bicol. Group journalist and Baretang Bikolnon editor Reynard Magtoto earlier instructed Rappler that there was a recurring sample of assaults on native media practitioners within the area who report on delicate or crucial points, forcing many to chorus from pursuing such tales of their communities.

“From 2023 to October 2024, the Nationwide Union of Journalists of the Philippines–Albay Chapter recorded over 17 instances of cyber libel filed in opposition to group journalists masking crucial points in Bicol, two homicide instances, and numerous incidents of intimidation, harassment, and red-tagging,” Magtoto mentioned.

Except for NUJP–Albay’s data, KARAPATAN–Bicol, a regional human rights alliance, reported in January 2025 that there have been not less than 456 documented instances of media repression, threats, harassment, and red-tagging within the area since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took workplace. (READ: Propaganda, assaults on journalists undermine press freedom in Bicol)

Based on NUJP–Albay, this persevering with pattern of media repression displays why the Philippines ranks ninth worldwide amongst international locations the place perpetrators of violence in opposition to journalists usually go unpunished. The group known as on the general public to face in opposition to media impunity, not solely in Albay however throughout the nation.

“The Philippines has constantly appeared on the worldwide media group’s Impunity Index yearly because it was first launched in 2008,” NUJP–Albay mentioned. “We should put an finish to the persevering with tradition of impunity that endangers journalists and undermines press freedom within the nation.” – Rappler.com