by Bicol Express News
DONSOL, Sorsogon – – – Days after a provincial board member of Sorsogon Second District created a scene inside the province gymnasium against a seasoned media man, Mario Tatel Romero a news correspondent based in Pilar, Sorsogon of Wow Smile Radio got a surprise fist blow from Donsol Vice-mayor Zaldy Advincula.
The 59-year-old news correspondent was approached and subsequently attacked and was hit with a fist blow by the vice-mayor near the town hall compound while covering the Brigada Eskwela activities. The incident happened at around 9:10 in the morning of August 15, 2023, as recorded in the town police station blotter on Page No. 304 under Entry No. 2023-08-0258 of August 15, 2023, at 9:20 in the morning as averred by Romero.
In an exclusive statement to Bicol Express News Romero admitted that vice-mayor Advincula berated him inside the town session hall. The chance meeting during the Brigada Eskwela Romero was planning to extend an olive branch, patch up their differences, and forego any animosity regarding his media works, but it turned out the other way.
In a statement, Wow Smile Radio said that the mauling of their correspondent while performing media works that whatever disdain or prejudice that the elected public official holds against him does not give him the license to maul and cause injury to the person.
The statement reminds public officials and other entities that if the local media remain silent the culture of impunity will prevail as it calls for strong condemnation of the incident and advocates for free journalism in the province and to uphold the rule of law.
As of press time, Advincula’s camp has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
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