A radio station critical of a controversial religious organization was attacked by gunmen in General Santos City yesterday.
Bombo Radyo’s radio station in General Santos City’s Barangay (Village) Bulas was shot at by still unidentified gunmen at around 8:30pm last night.
Photos posted by Bombo Radyo GenSan last night showed that at least one bullet hit the station’s glass door, which went through the glass covering its recording room. Bombo Radyo reported that a deformed slug was found inside the room.
No one was hurt in the incident, GMA News reported.
According to reports, the suspects were riding a red pick-up truck when they attacked. A security guard tried to shoot at the gunmen but they managed to get away.
Police Regional Office-12 spokesman Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzalez told The Philippine Star today that they are still trying to determine the suspects’ identities and motive.
Bombo Radyo believes they were attacked because they have been critical of the religious organization Kapa Community Ministry International and its founder Pastor Joel Apolinario. The government has been going after Kapa after it was accused of allegedly running the biggest investment scam in the Philippines.
On Monday, a regional trial court in Davao City issued a hold departure order against Kapa officers, including Apolinario. This came about a month after President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to shut down Kapa for allegedly running a pyramiding scheme.
According to The Philippine Star, authorities told reporters that a radio blocktimer had warned radio stations that there would be consequences if they continue to criticize Kapa and Apolinario.
Bombo Radyo’s radio outfit in the nearby city of Koronadal said this morning that they will not back down despite the shooting.
“It will not STOP US! A desperate move to curtail our freedom of the (sic) speech! We will continue to serve for (sic) the common good and do what is right no matter what! GOD is with us,” it said in a Facebook post.