A prominent local radio broadcaster in the southern Philippines was shot and killed Monday, in what authorities have confirmed as the latest deadly attack on media personnel in the country.

Erwin Labitad Segovia, 63, a longtime host on Radio WOW FM known for his sharp commentary on social issues and local governance, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant shortly after finishing his morning show and leaving the station to head home.

Police reports indicate Segovia was trailed by two men on a motorcycle before one of them fatally shot him. A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been activated to pursue suspects and determine the motive behind the killing.

Jose Torres Jr., executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, condemned the attack and pledged swift justice. “Protecting journalists is a priority of the government. We are fully committed to ensuring accountability for this heinous crime,” he said.

Segovia’s death highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in the Philippines—particularly those working in remote or politically sensitive areas. According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), over 200 journalists have been killed in the country since the restoration of democracy in 1986.

The country remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for media professionals, currently ranked ninth on the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 2024 Global Impunity Index, which measures how often killers of journalists go unpunished.

Segovia was widely respected in his community for tackling controversial topics and holding public officials to account. His outspoken reporting, colleagues say, may have made him a target.