Friday, March 06, 2009

NUJP ZamBaSulTa condemns attempt on broadcaster's life


The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Chapter is once again alarmed over the growing number of journalists harassed and killed in Mindanao in recent months.

We strongly condemn the latest attempt to kill another journalist on Thursday evening.
Cagayan de Oro broadcaster Nilo Labares of Radio Mindanao Network’s station dxCC was on his way home when he was attacked by armed men, who pulled a trigger on his back, wounding him seriously.

Fortunately, he is now out of danger and recuperating.

The attack on Labares is the second attempt to kill local journalists just this year. On February 28, Ronaldo Doong, a block-time broadcaster, sustained bruises and cuts when he was attacked by two armed men while travelling along the highway in Colorado village in Digos City around 10 a.m.

The recent attack is also the fourth since the death of Badrodin Abas, a block time broadcaster of dxCM in Cotabato City and the secretary general of the United Bangsamoro Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) on January 21. In the other case, Ernesto Rollin, a broadcaster of radio station dxSY - Times Broadcasting Network, in Ozamis City, who was all brutally murdered on February 23.

We urge the authorities to conduct immediate, fair and just investigations in these killings and the attempt to murder journalists. These attacks on journalists constitute an attack against our democratic institutions including the rule of law.

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