MANILA, Philippines - Government prosecutors have filed murder charges against a police officer in the killing of a radio journalist in a southern Philippine city last year, an official said Wednesday.
Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor said arrest warrants were issued for Inspector Redempto Acharon and several alleged accomplices after charges were filed in court Tuesday in connection with the August 2008 slaying of Dennis Cuesta, program director of Radio Mindanao Network in General Santos city.
It is not clear why Cuesta was targeted but local media have noted that Acharon is a cousin of the mayor of General Santos — an official whom Cuesta criticized in his radio program.
The officer charged has denied any involvement.
More than 60 journalists have been killed since 2001, making the Philippines one of the world's most dangerous places for reporters. The media watchdog group, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, said Cuesta was one of six journalists killed "in the line of duty" in the Philippines last year.
Blancaflor, head of a government task force in charge of investigating and prosecuting suspects involved in political killings, said the killings "affect the entire nation and not just a particular group of people."
Blancaflor said Acharon and his co-accused were "considered threats to public safety and security," and urged authorities to arrest them as quickly as possible.
Local newspapers have quoted Acharon as saying that the charges were meant to discredit city Mayor Pedro Acharon, his cousin.
Cuesta was in a coma for several days before he died.(AP)
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