Filming in Ecuador interrupted by multiple gunmen

The gunmen, hooded and dressed in black, were seen on television chasing staff out of the studio before the line was cut.

Several gunmen gestured toward the camera and someone backstage shouted “don’t call the police.”

On social media, the national police force said it had evacuated the channel's studio in Guayaquil, confirmed the condition of the staff there and was "reestablishing order".

Police in Guayaquil confirmed the arrest of 13 individuals, with several social media posts showing images of several young men with their hands tied behind their backs and lying on the floor.

The incident comes after the kidnapping of at least seven police officers, a series of explosions and just a day after Mr Noboa declared a state of emergency.

Ecuador's national TV channel TC is broadcast from the same location as Gamavision TV and several other radio stations.

In a message to Reuters, news coordinator and reporter Leonardo Flores Moreno said gunmen entered through the lobby of Gamavision, attacked staff there and planted explosives.

Flores was not on stage when the attack occurred, but said two people at TC were injured.

“We were in a meeting at the time, before someone raised the alarm and helped us hide.”

“We don’t know what’s going on, many people are very worried, many colleagues at Gama and TC are still in hiding.”

Mr Noboa, the son of one of Ecuador's richest men, took office in November promising to stem the wave of drug-related violence on the streets and in prisons that has become increasingly serious in recent years.

On Monday, Mr. Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency — a tool his predecessor had used to little effect — ordered military patrols, including in prisons, and imposed a nationwide curfew.

The measure is said to be in response to the escape of Adolfo Macias, the head of the Los Choneros crime gang, while he was serving a 34-year sentence, as well as several incidents in other prisons including a hostage taking of several prison guards.

World - Filming in Ecuador interrupted by multiple gunmen — Photo: Reuters TV

In a decree signed Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Noboa acknowledged “an internal armed conflict” in Ecuador and designated seven criminal gangs, including Los Choneros, as terrorist organizations. The decree is designed to require the armed forces to destroy them.

Mr Noboa is meeting with security officials and is expected to speak later today.

Mr Noboa has insisted he will not negotiate with “terrorists” and the Ecuadorian government has blamed recent prison violence on Mr Noboa’s plans to build a new high-security prison and hand over captured gang leaders.

Earlier, Ecuadorian police said seven police officers were kidnapped in three incidents in cities in the southern Ecuadorian provinces of Machala, Quito and Los Rios.

Police also reported explosions in the provinces of Esmeraldas and Los Rios, while the mayors' offices in Cuenca and Quito confirmed other explosions there. The attorney general's office said it was investigating an explosion in Guayaquil. Local media also reported explosions in Loja and Machala.

Authorities have not yet released a cause behind the explosions and no individual or organization has been held responsible.

Prison authorities SNAI said on Tuesday that a group of inmates had escaped from a penitentiary in Riobamba, including a member of the Colon Pico gang who was involved in an attack on the attorney general. The prosecutor’s office said 17 of the 39 escapees had been arrested.

SNAI also said that 11 prison guards held hostage over the past two days have been freed, but 139 other prison guards and staff are still being held.

Some Ecuadorians have called for a stronger response than simply declaring a state of emergency.

“The previous government declared a state of emergency and that decision did not bring much results,” said Marcelo Gordillo, 42. “Mr. Noboa needs to take stronger measures, order the police and the armed forces to restore order. He needs to be more proactive.”

Mr Noboa has planned to hold a referendum this year on security efforts.

Ecuador's University of Guayaquil has said reports of gunmen entering its campus are false, contrary to claims on social media.

Nguyen Quang Minh (according to Reuters)

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