According to a report in The Straits Times, local police said the murder was likely in reprisal for Hinolan exposés "on illegal gambling, police brutality and corruption by local government executives."

Hinolan was known as a "hard-hitting commentator," local Chief Superintendent George Alino told Agence France-Presse. In a statement, Bombo Radyo managers accused "assassins" of "killing the messenger who is tasked to serve the public by way of exposing the truth." The station offered a reward for any information leading to the identification or capture of those responsible for Hinolan's murder.