IFJ mourns death of another broadcaster in RP

MANILA, Philippines - The International Federation of Journalists joined its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, in mourning the death of yet another journalist killed in Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Desidario “Jessie” Camangyan, 52, anchorman of Sunrise FM in Mati town in Davao Oriental province was shot dead around 10.30 p.m. Monday as he hosted a singing contest in the neighboring town of Manay.

The regional police said the killer shot Camangyan at close range beneath the right ear. A special investigation task force headed by Superintendent Jorge Corpuz has been established to investigate the murder, according to a local news report.

The motivation for the murder is unclear. Camangyan was known for criticism in his broadcasts on mining and illegal logging issues, and Sunrise station manager Bobong Alcantara said he believed this could be behind the killing.

News reports also noted Camangyan had campaigned for Mayor Michelle Rabat in last month’s general elections.

The murder is the 138th killing of a media worker in the Philippines since 1986, and the 101st during the tenure of Gloria Arroyo, according to the NUJP.

On November 23 last year, election campaigning opened with the horrific massacre of 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, in Maguindanao, Mindanao.

“It is difficult to believe that the killer is unknown when Jessie Camangyan was murdered on stage at a public event,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said. “There is no excuse for local authorities to delay in bringing the perpetrator and whoever may have ordered the killing to justice.”

In other news from Mindanao, the IFJ commends the actions of four journalists who have filed a criminal complaint following harassment by Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and Nestor Jacot the day before the May 10 elections.

The four, among a group of seven media personnel illegally detained on Camiguin Island, lodged the complaint on June 10 at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Camiguin, according to the NUJP.

Herbert Hugo Dumaguing and son Hubert, Alphyn Cabañog and Algin Lobino accused Romualdo of illegal detention, grave threats, robbery and violation of Section 261Q of the Omnibus Election Code, which pertains to the carrying of firearms during an election period.

The journalists were accompanied by lawyer Fides Angeli Sabio, and escorted by several journalists and police officers based in Cagayan de Oro City.

“It is encouraging to see that journalists are filing cases against public officials who attempt to intimidate journalists,” Park said. “The IFJ expects the prosecutor’s office to act fully on their complaint.