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Sunday, September 07, 2003
Ex-dad killed in 3rd murder attempt
By Gwen P. Posadas
DAVAO -- Controversial radio broadcaster and former city councilor Juan "Jun" Pala, who survived two murder attempts in recent years, was felled by assassins' bullets Saturday night at the boundary of Vista Verde Village and Davao Empress in Panacan.
Reports gathered by Sun.Star showed that Pala, a commentator on radio station dxGO, had just stepped out of a friend's house, Rey Alejos in Vista Verde past 7 p.m. when three gunmen shoot him, police and co-workers said.
The gunmen onboard a motorcycle with no plate number peppered Pala and two others, Jonathan and Roberto Porras, with bullets from a .45 caliber pistol and an M16-rifle.
Pala was hit in the chest five times, one bullet piercing his heart.
He was declared dead by Dr. Renato Montenegro when brought to the San Pedro Hospital.
Jonathan and Roberto were likewise hit. Jonathan was brought to the Davao Medical Center where he was said to be in critical condition, although this couldn't be confirmed as of presstime.
Roberto, a member of the Intelligence Security Unit (ISU) was only hit in his middle finger.
In an interview with Sun.Star Davao, Roberto said, he was able to fire his M2 Carbine back, but he was not sure if he hit any of the suspects.
"Naghapa na daan sila (suspect). Pag-dive nako nahatak pa akong magazine pero nakapabuto ko. Si Jun wala na kay murag on the spot man siya (The gunmen were already in a prone position. When I dove to the ground I was still able to load my magazine and shoot. Jun wasn't able to fire his gun as it appeared that he was dead on the spot," Roberto said adding Pala was also armed with a baby armalite when the incident transpired.
The scene of the crime operation members were still conducting further investigation as they arrived two hours later.
A certain Dindin said that when Pala was shot, the suspects immediately rode the red motorcycle that was just a few feet away its motor idling and its driver waiting for his accomplices. The motorcycle sped toward the highway.
"Pagbuto gyud, kadtong isa nipaandar dayon sa motor unya nanagan dayon tong duha nga nag-bonnet ug nanakay (After the burst of gunshots, the man on the motorcycle immediately started the engine and the two men wearing bonnets ran and rode the motorcycle before the group sped away)," Dindin said.
Neighbors of Pala expressed sympathy but said it was his fate.
"Wa tay mahimo kay ana man gyud na (We can't do anything, that's how it is)," a neighbor said.
Pala was first ambushed by unidentified suspects at Circumferential Road, near Chinese Cemetery, Davao City on June 14, 2001. He was a councilor then riding a government-issued pick-up. He survived despite several gunshot wounds.
Last April 29, 2003, he was again ambushed while riding a taxi with his bodyguards at Mamay Road in Buhangin. He was hit in the buttocks and again survived.
Louie, Pala's wife, when interviewed at the morgue of San Pedro Hospital said she tried to apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while they were rushing him to the hospital but there was nothing else she could do.
When asked who was her suspect, she said, "Hindi na talaga yon matanong, alam na ng mga tao kung sino (It need not be asked, the public already knows the person behind).
Apat ang anak ko maliliit pa. Masaya na sila ngayon kay patay na si Jun (I have four young children with me. They must be happy now that Jun is dead).
Pala was elected as city councilor during the administration of former Mayor Ben de Guzman.
At least 41 journalists have been killed in the Philippines since democracy was restored in 1986, international press bodies have said.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has said the number of journalists killed makes the country one of the most perilous in the world for members of the media. (Sun.Star Davao)
(September 7, 2003 issue)
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