Michael Rogas, the radio broadcaster who gained national attention for conducting a controversial live interview with a hostage-taker during the 2010 Manila bus crisis, has died in Quezon City. He was 44.

Rogas died early Thursday morning at East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, according to his domestic partner, Arjean Gonzaga.

He is scheduled to be laid to rest this week in Occidental Mindoro.

Since news of his death broke, an outpouring of grief has emerged from netizens and colleagues who knew Rogas personally and were touched by his work and dedication to journalism.

Rogas was a reporter and anchor for state-run Radyo Pilipinas, which remembered him as the “Pambansang Ninong” (Everyone’s godfather).

The station said his dedication to reporting and public service would remain an inspiration.

“We deeply sympathize with the passing of our colleague at Radyo Pilipinas, Michael Rogas, known as Pambansang Ninong, an excellent journalist and voice of truth on Ronda Pilipinas,” the station said in a statement.

“His dedication to news reporting and public service will remain an inspiration to all of us.”

Rogas collapsed at a campaign rally May 8, 2025 while running for municipal councilor in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

He was initially rushed to a hospital in Calapan City before being transferred to East Avenue Medical Center.

The journalist became a household name in August 2010 when he conducted a live phone interview with dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza, who had taken a bus of Hong Kong tourists hostage at Manila’s Quirino Grandstand. Rogas was working for radio station RMN DZXL at the time.

The interview became controversial because it prevented police negotiators from reaching the disgruntled former PNP officer.

The hostage crisis ended with nine people dead, including Mendoza, and seven others seriously injured.

The incident prompted a Senate investigation and led newsrooms nationwide to review their protocols for covering ongoing police operations.

Rogas’ remains were at St. Peter Chapels in Antipolo City. They were brought to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro yesterday before he is buried in Calintaan town.