Slain broadcaster laid to rest; family seeks justice
By Rhaydz Barcia
DARAGA, Albay --- Radio broadcaster Adrian N. Loterte, known professionally as “Golden Boy,” was laid to rest at Pristine Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, as his family continued to seek justice for his killing.
Loterte, a blocktimer of DWIZ and anchor of RBN News Television’s online program “Rabas Cun Rabas,” was shot eight times by an unidentified assailant at around 4:10 p.m. on Oct. 12 while attending to his bakery in a rented establishment in Purok 4, Barangay San Roque, Daraga, Albay, according to Police Lt. Col. Maria Luisa “Malu” Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 5.
Loterte, a father of seven, left behind children whose eldest is 15 years old and whose youngest is an infant, according to his family.
His mother-in-law, Myrna Cordial, 73, told Bicol Mail that Loterte had received death threats in 2018, around the time broadcaster Joey Llana was killed.
Cordial recalled that before Llana’s killing, a text message threatening him reportedly read, “Humanda ka na, isang bala ka lang” (Get ready; it will take only one bullet).
Because of the threats, Cordial said, the family moved to Manila and stayed in Caloocan for almost a year. Loterte continued his broadcasting activities while they were there.
“He took the death threat seriously, which was why his entire family moved to Manila for safety,” Cordial said, adding that the family eventually returned to Albay after Loterte felt it was safe to do so.
According to Cordial, Loterte returned to Bicol about a year after Llana’s killing in 2018, when the threats appeared to have subsided. He resumed his radio program and later organized the Goldenboy Aksyon Agad (GAA), a group that reportedly had more than 200 members across Albay.
Llana, then 43, was a blocktimer of DWZR Zoom Radio and a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Peñafrancia, Daraga. He was gunned down in the early morning of July 20, 2018, while maneuvering his car out of his garage.
Police reports at the time said Llana was shot 14 times using firearms believed to include a .45-caliber pistol and a 9mm handgun. His family had reportedly received death threats against him before the killing.
Llana hosted the program “Metro Banat” on DWZR Zoom Radio, which was owned by Hypersonic Broadcasting Network. His killing added to the unresolved cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines.
Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) Executive Director Jose “Joe” Torres told The Manila Times that Loterte was the 16th media worker killed in Bicol since 1986 and the 205th nationwide during the same period, based on the task force’s count.
Torres said investigators were examining several possible motives for Loterte’s killing, including his work as a broadcaster.
“We will look into many angles in the Loterte case because he had criticized many personalities,” Torres said.
The PTFOMS joined a case conference with Police Regional Office 5 and the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Golden Boy” at Camp Ola in Legazpi City. The meeting was led by Police Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn G. Silvio, regional police director.
The police formed the special investigation task group to identify the perpetrators and establish the motive for the killing. Investigators are examining possible work-related, personal, and business motives, but no motive has been established publicly.
Aside from his broadcasting activities, Loterte owned Amirah Campsite, a nearly one-hectare property in Barangay Amtic, Ligao City, and operated a bakery.
Torres said the PTFOMS would continue coordinating with law enforcement agencies to support a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation and help ensure accountability for the killing.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting journalists and upholding press freedom.
“We seek to strengthen systems of protection, access to support mechanisms, and channels for immediate response to threats and acts of harassment,” Torres said.
Albay Gov. Noel E. Rosal condemned Loterte’s killing, stressing that disagreements and differences in opinion could never justify violence.
“The motive behind such killing is yet to be established, but this early, I want to express in clear and categorical terms my strong condemnation of any attempt to suppress freedom of speech and expression, particularly when such an attempt is carried out through the taking of a human life,” Rosal said.
The governor also vowed to pursue a thorough investigation to help bring those responsible to justice.
“So long as I am the Governor of Albay, violence will not find refuge in our province,” Rosal said, extending his condolences to Loterte’s family and friends.
Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary and former Albay governor Joey Salceda, meanwhile, offered a cash reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects and the alleged mastermind behind the killing.
Loterte’s death has renewed calls for accountability and stronger protection for media workers, particularly those who face threats because of their work.
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