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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Broadcaster gunned down in Mindanao
By Nilo Cobrado and Rex C. Otero
DAVAO CITY -- A gunman onboard a motorcycle shot dead a block-timer of Radyo Ukay in Digos City minutes after the radioman left the dxDS station of the University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network (UMBN) Tuesday afternoon.
The victim was Armando "Racman" Pace, 55, a resident of Roxas Extension in Digos City, and reputed to be in the same mold as slain Davao City radioman Juan Porras Pala Jr.
Pace, who hails from Padada in Davao del Sur, hosts "Ukadyang", a block-time program at Radyo Ukay.
Initial investigation by the Digos Police Office (DCPO) showed Pace was already driving his Yamaha motorcycle along Rizal Avenue around 1 p.m. when a blue Honda Dream motorcycle with two men on board drew near him along the area fronting the Digos National High School.
The motorcycle passenger pulled out a gun and shot Pace twice.
Pace was hit twice on the chest and died on the spot although he was still brought to the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital.
Witnesses described the driver of the motorcycle as a young man, about 18 years old, while the triggerman was described to be in his 30's, medium built, about 5'6 to 5'8 tall, and fair complexioned.
Pace was reportedly handling the program "Ukadyang" for the past eight months.
Broadcasters of Radyo Ukay who knew him said he has had a long list of libel cases filed against him, but all had so far been dismissed.
Davao del Sur Police Director Anselmo Pinili said he already created a task force to investigate Pace's death.
Representative Douglas Ra. Cagas condemned the killing.
"He was a very daring broadcaster. He was the Jun Pala of Digos City. It was a big blow to press freedom and I'm asking the government to conduct an investigation. But I will not speculate as to the motive or the people behind it. I don't want to be assassinated as well," Cagas said.
Pace was the 45th journalist in the Philippines killed since 2001 and the 82nd since 1986. (With BOT and Peng Aliño)
(July 19, 2006 issue)
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