reporter shot in General Santos, in critical condition

Miami
August 5, 2008
Story 1: reporter shot in General Santos, in critical condition

A radio reporter is now in critical condition after being shot by three unidentified men riding in one motorcycle.

The victim was identified as Dennis Cuesta, 35, a radio commentator of DxMD-Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) was shot along National Highway fronting the Novitiate Square adjacent to DxCP Radio Station, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City.

The incident took place at around 4:30 pm, August 4.

Sr. Supt Robert Po, Chief of Police of General Santos Police Station said that they already have cartographic sketch of the suspects.

Initial investigation disclosed that the suspects approached the victim from behind and shot him five times at close range using caliber .45. Cuesta was rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital for medical treatment and is presently being secured by General Santos City Police.

Po said that the victim sustained three gunshot wounds on his forehead, lower back portion of his body and in hand. But the police recovered five empty shells of calibre .45 at the crime scene.

Po added that the victim is now undergoing operation because of the blood clot and a damaged in his skull and there is a fear that he might not recover 100%.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12), already created Task Force Cuesta to be composed of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division (RIDMD), Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and Public Information Office to ensure a coordinated effort in the investigation and prioritize the immediate resolution of the case.

Po said on the initial investigation that they gathered, prior to the incident, the victim received death threats through text messages and even reported it through the CIDG in Region 12. The police are considering several angles regarding the motive of the shooting, among them work-related for his being very hard-hitting radio commentator and possibly for his being witness to an illegal detention case.