Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Broadcaster Gunned Down In Mindanao

DAVAO CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 18 Jul) Gunmen killed a Filipino broadcaster in a daring broad daylight attack Tuesday in the southern island of Mindanao, police and media reports said.

It said Armando Pace was gunned down around 1 p.m. in Digos City in Davao del Sur province. Pace, who worked with Radyo Ukay, was shot repeatedly. He was heading for home on a motorcycle when gunmen ambushed him.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last month, gunmen also shot and killed George Vigo, a correspondent for the Union of Catholic Asian News, and his wife, Macel Alave-Vigo, also a broadcaster, in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province.

Vigo was also the executive director of the non-government organization Peoples’ Kauyahan Foundation, Inc. which initiates community peace forums and dialogues in North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said at least 45 journalists have been murdered in the country since 2001.

The Philippines now ranks second to Iraq on the list of deadliest countries for journalists in 2005, according to international media group Reporters without Borders.

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