Arrest killers of Filipino broadcaster, media watchdog urges RP authorities

Reporters Without Borders urges the authorities deploy all the resources needed to identify, arrest and punish the perpetrators and instigators of radio journalist Godofredo Linao’s murder.

Linao was gunned down yesterday in Barobo, in Surigao del Sur province, on the southern island of Mindanao.

“Linao is the fourth journalist to be killed in less than two months in the Philippines, in what was the third murder of this kind,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Many of these murders have taken place in Mindanao, which has become one of the most dangerous regions in the world for radio journalists.”

The press freedom organization added: “The government must react by assigning more resources to the special Task Force for crimes of violence against the press and must stop balking at the arrest of those who mastermind these murders.”

Linao, 49, was shot four times in the back as he was about to set off on his motorcycle at night yesterday.

Radyo Natin manager Mar Alvizo said Linao hosted a programme on controversial subjects that was called “Tinitira niya talaga” (With Comment) and a program called “Kapamilya Walang Iwanan” on Magic Love FM.

He was also provincial deputy governor Librado Navarro’s spokesman and hoped to be candidate in the next local elections.

The police are investigating the circumstances and motive, which was probably political.

Broadcaster killed in Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 28, 2009) – Media groups have condemned the killing of a Filipino radio broadcaster in Surigao del Sur province in Mindanao region, south of the Philippines.

Police said Godofredo Linao Jr., 49, was shot at close range on Monday in the town of Barobo. Linao, a commentator for the Radyo Natin, was the sixth journalist killed in the country this year.

The motive of the attack was unknown, but police suspects the killing was connected to his work. Linao was a known hard-hitting journalist who had criticized politicians.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines condemned the murder.

The Philippines has been tagged as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Dozens of journalists have been killed since 2001 in the country under President Gloria Arroyo’s watch, according to NUJP. (Mindanao Examiner)