Broadcaster stabbed dead in broad daylight

MARIHATAG, Surigao del Sur — What began as a quiet Saturday morning walk ended in tragedy for a respected broadcaster and sitting councilor in this coastal town.

Gerry Campos — known to many as a hardworking newsman and dedicated Sangguniang Bayan member — was stabbed to death around 7 a.m. in Barangay Sta. Cruz. Police said Campos was out for his usual walk when he was approached by a man who allegedly asked him for money. Moments later, for reasons still unclear, the encounter turned violent. Campos was stabbed and died on the spot.

Investigators are still piecing together what happened and have yet to determine the motive. No details about the suspect have been released, and police say they are pursuing several leads.

News of his killing sent shockwaves through the community. Journalists, local officials, and residents mourned the loss of Campos, describing him as a passionate public servant and a steady, respected voice in local media. Media groups condemned the attack and renewed calls for better protection for journalists and local officials, especially in the provinces where risks remain high.

Authorities have vowed a thorough investigation as Marihatag comes to grips with the violent loss of a man who, for years, bridged the worlds of governance and journalism.

Student found dead

In another heartbreaking incident in Makilala, Cotabato, a 20-year-old student was found dead — already in a state of decomposition — inside her boarding room in Barangay San Vicente late Thursday afternoon.

Police said they were called in around 4:40 p.m. after a resident reported a foul odor seeping out of the young woman’s room. Officers arrived to find the student lifeless on the floor. Her name has been withheld until her family is formally notified.

Neighbors told police the student, believed to be pregnant, had not been seen since 2 December. As the unusual silence stretched on and the smell worsened, a concerned neighbor finally checked on her, leading to the grim discovery.

Authorities have yet to confirm whether foul play was involved. Scene of the Crime Operatives have begun processing the room for clues, and investigators are waiting for forensic results to help determine what caused the young woman’s death.

Makilala police say the investigation is ongoing and promise to release more details as soon as they become available.