Gunmen Torch Radio Station In Northern Philippines

MANILA (Zamboanga Journal / 01 Jul) Eight gunmen believed to be government soldiers allegedly torched a community radio station before dawn Sunday in the town of Baggao in Cagayan province, about 320 km north of Manila, the media watch dog National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), said.

It said the attack on Radyo Cagayano occured around 2 a.m. Six people working for the radio station, including the manager, were held at gunpoint, blindfolded and hogtied.

The six were identified as Susan Mapa, the station manager, and staff members Erik Ayudan, Arnold Agaraan, Armalyn Badua, Arlyn Areta, and Joy Marcos. They all suffered bruises.

Local organizations condemned the incident as an attack against press freedom and blamed soldiers assigned with the Army's 17th Infantry Battalion, under the 5th Infantry Division, as the alleged perpetrators.

Security officials were not immediately available to make a statement.

"Reports reaching the NUJP said the arsonists entered the compound at around 2 a.m., poured gasoline into the radio transmitter and booth facilities, and set them on fire.

"The arsonists reportedly held at gunpoint, blindfolded and hogtied six radio staff who were at the station compound," the media group said.

The radio station was built in 2002, but peasants who attended the inauguration of a new building were also attacked by suspected soldiers armed with machetes for an unknown reason.

Reports said the radio facility is a joint project of the local mayor and peasant organization called KAGIMUNGAN. The progressive political group Bayan Muna helped facilitate the government funding of the project.