GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (August 5,2008) – Broadcast journalist Dennis Cuesta remained comatose at a hospital here after unidentified gunmen shot him Monday afternoon.
Cuesta, program director of radio station DXMD of the Radio Mindanao Network here, sustained several gunshot wounds, one bullet shattering his skull and another one lodged in his hip.
Cuesta's wife Gloria said her husband is still unconscious and remains at the intensive care unit of the Saint Elizabeth Hospital where physicians gave him a 50-50 chance of survival.
"Doctors said that if he survives, half of his body would be paralyzed," Gloria said in an interview over dxMD.
Cuesta will undergo another CT scan Tuesday.
RMN assistant area manager Dodong Solis said surgeons removed some 24 bone fragments lodged in the left side of Cuesta's head.
Solis said police were already looking into the possibility that the shooting was related to Cuesta's work. Police were set to release a cartographic sketch of the gunmen based on descriptions given by witnesses.
Cuesta anchors the public affairs program "Straight to the Point" and is known for his aggressive commentaries on controversial issues like illegal gambling, graft and corruption in government and illegal drugs.
Cuesta was shot at about 4 p.m. near a mall here after coming from a promotional activity of RMN in nearby Sarangani province.
Witnesses said Cuesta was approached by motorcycle-riding gunmen who shot him with a 45 caliber pistol. The incident happened in a public place frequented by travelers and shoppers.
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