Broadcaster killed in central Philippines

A mediaman was shot to death by two unidentified assailants on Wednesday night in central Philippine province of Sorsogon, a police official said Thursday.

Sorsogon provincial police spokesman Supt. Nonito Marquez named the victim as Teodoro Escanilla, 59, a broadcaster at the local radio station DZMS.

Marquez said Escanilla is also the chairman of the leftist party Anakpawis and spokesman of the human rights group Karapatan in the province.

Citing initial investigation, Marquez said the victim was shot dead inside his residential compound in Tadon village at around 11: 45 p.m. Wednesday.

He said the suspects used a caliber 45 pistol and an M16 rifle, based on the empty shells recovered at the scene.

The suspects fled after the shooting. Investigations are underway to identify the suspects and their motive.