25 June 2007
Vicente Sumalpong
Shooting
Vicente Sumalpong, who works for a state-run radio station, was about to board his motorcycle with two companions when gunmen fired at them in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi province, 1,125 kilometres south of Manila.
Sumalpong suffered five gunshot wounds and died on the way to hospital, while his companions - broadcaster Vema Antham and nephew Roilan Borja - were injured but out of danger. Antham, who is being treated at a local hospital, said she suffered only slight injuries because Sumalpong covered her with his body.
"The shooting was so quick," she said. "I think it was over in less than 30 seconds. The gunmen fled as we lay on the ground." Investigators were looking into the possibility that the attack might be related to the victim's work as a broadcast journalist.
