DZRH reporter Romy Gonzales revealed he is now on alert after receiving threats from La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph “JB” Bernos, who is running for a congressional seat in Abra.
Gonzales made this statement in an interview on DZRH News’ Magandang Umaga Pilipinas following a blotter entry filed after the incident.
According to a certification issued on April 23, Gonzales, 64, received a threatening message on Facebook Messenger from Mayor Bernos at 10:11 p.m. on April 21. The message read: “TARANTADO KA ROMY. VERY IRRESPONSIBLE.”
During a subsequent video call that lasted two minutes and four seconds, Bernos allegedly shouted: “P*TANG *NA MO, MR. GONZALES. BABALIKAN KITA, P*TANG *NA KA.”
In the radio interview a day after the blotter entry, Gonzales said he was okay, but: "Syempre nangangamba, binabantayan natin likod natin. Baka may sumusunod.”
Gonzales said Bernos' threats stemmed from his news report aired on 21 April 2025 which merely recounted a shooting incident in Tayum, Abra that resulted in a death and an arrest.
Gonzales noted that the possible source of Bernos’ anger was the mention of his group in the news report, which may have offended the mayor.
"‘Yung report kasi natin, nangyari 'yung shooting incident diyan sa Tayum. Okay na lang sana ‘yan, kasi sabi ko nga sa kanya, magbigay s’ya ng report [kung mayroon man], pwede naman nating i-ere din ang side nya," he added.
Gonzales said he remains committed to fair and accurate reporting but took issue with the mayor’s aggressive response.
“Pwede ko namang ireport ang side n’ya. Kung hindi niya grupo 'yon, pwede n’yang i-clarify. Pero hindi 'yung talagang mumurahin tayo at pagbabantaan pa,” he explained.
The DZRH reporter also noted the influence of DZRH across provinces like Abra.
“Alam naman natin na napakatindi ng dating ng DZRH, kasi hindi lang sa cable, ang dami kasing nanonood nating kababayan sa lalawigan ng Abra," Gonzales said.
"Hindi lang mga ordinaryong mamamayan, pati mga pulitiko rin. Para bang minsan, sinusubaybayan ako,” he said.
Mayor JB Bernos, currently seeking a congressional seat in the 2025 midterm elections, has yet to issue a statement regarding the threat.
DZRH's parent company, Manila Broadcasting Company, has already issued a statement: "Naninindigan ang MBC Media Group-DZRH na walang puwang ang karahasan at pagbabanta."
"Desidido ang MBC Media Group-DZRH na papanagutin ang nasa likod ng pagbabanta upang hindi maulit ang mga kaparehong sitwasyon na hindi katanggap-tanggap at isang pag-atake sa malayang pamamahayag."
