Motorcycle-riding assailants shot and killed journalist Erwin Labitad Segovia while he was on his way home from his morning radio program in Bislig City in the southern province of Surigao del Sur, according to multiplenews reports. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital from a gunshot wound to the head.
The assailants, who were wearing black jackets and riding a black motorcycle, immediately fled the scene, local outlet MindaNews reported, citing police reports. The Bislig City police classified the incident as a targeted assassination, according to the same story.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security, a state body tasked with investigating media murders, saidauthorities had activated a special investigation task force into the journalist’s killing and launched a “hot pursuit operation” to apprehend the suspects.
The prosecutor’s office charged suspect Jeffrey Birador with murder on July 28, 2025, Jose Torres Jr., the task force’s executive director, told CPJ via email in mid-August. Torres said Birador was apprehended in July with illegal arms and an explosive device, which he suggested might link him to the crime.
Segovia, popularly known as “Boy Pana,” hosted a regular radio program at Barangay Radio 98.1 FM about local governance, social issues, and community concerns. He also hosted a program to boost former local mayor Carla Lopez-Pichay’s campaign for midterm elections held in May, news reports said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a local press group, called on authorities to “investigate the possible connection of Segovia’s killing to his hard-hitting commentaries.”
The Bislig City police did not immediately reply to CPJ’s request for comment sent via Facebook.