ABS-CBN television news crew attacked in Marawi City

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Motorcycle gunmen attacked a group a television news crew on Saturday in the restive city of Marawi in the Muslim province of Lanao del Sur, officials said.

Officials said the news team led by Ronnie Enderes, Emilito Balansag and Gary Montecillo just came from the town of Ditsa Ramain where they pursued a story on the spate of bombings of power lines in the province and travelling back to Marawi City when gunmen attacked them on Bangolo Street.

The trio survived the ambush after escaping their attackers who were on three motorcycles and then drove themselves to an army base where they sought refuge.

Col. Roseller Murillo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the news team was fired upon by the gunmen along Bangolo. “They were able to elude the perpetrators, however, their service car was hit by two bullets – one t the driver’s side window, and another at the left side of the vehicle,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said troops from the 65th Infantry Battalion escorted the news team to Iligan City after they sought refuge to the army base following the attack. The motive and the perpetrators of the attack is still being investigated.

The ABS-CBN, the country’s largest television network, strongly condemned the incident and thanked the 103rd Infantry Brigade for providing temporary refuge to the news crew. “We urge the authorities to investigate this ambush and bring the perpetrators to justice soonest, even as we vow to continue with our duties as journalists,” it said.

Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman also condemned the slay try on the reporters and strongly called an end to violence against media members.

“The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao condemns the attack on the crew of ABS-CBN in Marawi City. We agree that the attack underscores the brazenness of armed groups to target even the media who are only out to do their duty as members of the fourth estate and perform their profession in the name of press freedom.”

“The Marawi police is ordered to investigate this attack and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The regional government of ARMM joins those who are calling to end media violence in the country as we stand with journalists and media organizations against these unacceptable attacks,” Hataman said.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr. has condemned the attack on the news crew and ordered the police to investigate the failed assassination.

“We condemn hostilities such as this done to our constituents and most especially, to the visitors of our province. The media have always been one of our links to our constituents and the whole country because through them, we know information on our development policies, programs and activities would be properly and effectively disseminated down to the grassroots level.”

“The fourth estate indeed plays a vital role in nation-building and therefore, we involve them in the process, not harm them. No one deserves such brutality, especially during this holiday season of peace. I therefore urge the PNP to immediately investigate this case and ensure that justice is served the soonest possible time,” Adiong said.

Last October, the police chief of Marawi City, Superintendent Abner Santos, was also ambushed and killed by gunmen. And so were 13 soldiers who were attacked in Marawi City while on a patrol near the Mindanao State University. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)

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