Slain broadcaster Samar had no death threat, says wife

By Rhaydz Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY — Slain radio broadcaster Noel B. Samar, 54, had no prior death threats, according to his wife, Rogelyn P. Samar, in an interview with The Manila Times via Messenger.

Samar, who also served as a village councilor of Barangay Pag-asa, Legazpi City, hosted the social media program Kadunong iTV and radio programs over DWIZ. He was attacked by unidentified assailants on Monday, October 20, 2025.

When asked whether her husband had received any death threats, Rogelyn said Noel had not mentioned any work-related concerns.

“So far, wala lamang po, and he refrains from telling me work-related activities. Di ko po masabi possibilities kasi wala po siyang nadedetalye sa akin for the past weeks. Busy lang po siya no’ng mga nakaraang linggo sa pagpapagawa ng mga kulungan ng manok sa dinidevelop niyang manukan,” Rogelyn told Bicol Mail.

(So far, there were none. He refrained from telling me about work-related activities. I can’t say any possibilities because he hadn’t shared any details in recent weeks. He had just been busy developing and constructing chicken houses.)

When asked where Noel was heading on the day he was shot, Rogelyn said her husband was probably on his way to their chicken farm.

“Malamang po, no’ng binaril siya, doon siya papunta. Di naman po kasi siya nakapagsabi sa’kin na may pupuntahan siya that morning,” she said.

(He was probably on his way to Barangay Catomag, Guinobatan, where the chicken farm is located, when he was shot. He didn’t mention any plans to go out that morning.)

Samar was declared dead at around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday by Dr. Keisha Samantha B. Riosa, attending physician at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC).

According to Maj. Ma. Luisa A. Tino, public information officer of the Albay Police Provincial Office and spokesperson of the Special Investigation Task Group, Samar was shot four times with a .45-caliber pistol by unidentified suspects while driving his motorcycle along the national highway in Barangay Morera, Guinobatan, around 9 a.m. Monday.

On Thursday, Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi issued a statement expressing condolences and condemning the killing.

“God then said: What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” – Genesis 4:10

“Nothing can ever justify murder — not personal disputes, not political differences, not even appeals to public order or national security,” Bishop Baylon said.