CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Bantay, Ilocos Sur — A popular radio anchorman is in critical condition after surviving a slay try by unidentified gunmen Thursday night near the entrance gate of this camp, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province.

Senior Superintendent Eduardo Dopale, acting Ilocos Sur PNP director, identified the victim as Eugene Paet, anchorman of the DWRS radio, reportedly owned by Deputy National Security Adviser and gubernatorial candidate Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Dopale said Paet had just finished his radio program and was on his way home to Barangay Bulag Centro in Bantay aboard his motorcycle when he was shot by one of two men riding tandem on a motorcycle at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in front of the local PNP headquarters.

Paet, known as Commando Uno, is still in critical condition due to a gunshot wound in the abdomen.

Upon learning of the attack, Singson immediately instructed his staff to bring the radioman to a hospital.

Responding lawmen found two empty shells of .45 caliber bullets at the crime scene.

What puzzles newsmen here is why the suspects, who appeared to have been tailing Paet from the radio station in Barangay Tamag in Vigan City, had to wait to attack the victim in front of a police headquarters.

Dopale said he himself is puzzled why the attack was carried out near the PNP headquarters. “Our police personnel are now investigating the incident. I have instructed the establishment of checkpoints and the conduct of dragnet operations in the area for the possible apprehension of the suspects,” Dopale added.

Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares Jr., Region1 police director, directed Dopale to immediately solve the series of unsolved killings in the province for the past several days.

Last Wednesday, Artemio Tugade, a candidate for municipal councilor, was shot dead in Sta. Maria town by two gunmen riding tandem on a motorcycle.

As usual, the series of killings remains unsolved.

Meanwhile, members of the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines-Ilocos Sur chapter chaired by Arlon Serdenia strongly condemned the attack on Paet.