12/10/2026
MEDIA ANCHOR ADRIAN LOTERTE DEAD AFTER SHOOTING IN DARAGA, ALBAY; OFFICIALS AND MEDIA AGENCIES CONDEMN KILLING
BARANGAY SAN ROQUE, DARAGA, ALBAY — Media personality and broadcast anchor Adrian “Golden Boy” Loterte of RBN News Television (Rabas Cun Rabas) was pronounced dead at approximately 5:35 PM today, October 12, 2026, while undergoing medical treatment at Daraga Doctors Hospital following a gun attack.
According to police reports from the Daraga Municipal Police Station, the shooting occurred at around 4:00 PM at Purok 4, Barangay San Roque, Daraga, Albay. Loterte was tending to his family bakeshop at a rented commercial space when one of two unidentified assailants opened fire on him repeatedly with an undetermined fi***rm.
The suspects immediately fled the scene aboard a white and black Honda Click motorcycle heading toward Barangay Kimantong, Daraga. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene shortly after receiving a citizen report at around 4:10 PM, while Loterte was rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT OPERATION AND SPECIAL TASK FORCE
In response to the attack, the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5) activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) alongside intensified manhunt and dragnet operations to track down the assailants. Nearby police units have set up checkpoints, while Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) personnel processed the crime scene and gathered witness statements.
Authorities are currently executing CCTV backtracking in coordination with the Albay Police Provincial Office Command Center to trace the suspects' movements before and after the crime.
Police Lt. Col. Maria Rosario S. Calusor, Officer-in-Charge of the Daraga MPS, urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified reports or graphic imagery on social media to avoid causing alarm and hindering the ongoing investigation. The police encourage anyone with information, photos, or video footage to contact the Daraga MPS hotline at 0998-598-5937 or visit their station at Doña Maria Subdivision, Brgy. Tagas, Daraga, Albay.
WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION FROM OFFICIALS AND MEDIA BODIES
The fatal shooting sparked immediate and widespread condemnation across local leadership and press organizations:
Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Atty. Alfredo "Pido" Garbin Jr. denounced the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in a democratic society, especially against those serving the public through journalism.
Daraga Mayor Vic Perete called for a swift and impartial investigation, reiterating that violence and impunity will not be tolerated in the municipality.
Legazpi City Mayor Hisham Ismail condemned the assault as senseless violence and expressed deep condolences and prayers for the victim's family and loved ones.
Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) confirmed it is investigating the incident and urged law enforcement agencies to pursue a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Albay Press Club, led by President Edwin Peralta, issued a formal statement strongly condemning the attack, describing it as an assault on press freedom and calling for immediate justice.
Tagkaro Media / Tagkaro News joined the media community in strongly condemning the violence, calling for swift justice and an end to attacks against media practitioners.
While authorities have yet to establish the primary motive behind the attack, PRO 5 assured the public that all potential angles—including Loterte's background as a political and social commentator—will be fully investigated.