Journalist shot in Philippines dies

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 17, 2009) – A journalist who was shot by gunmen in the central Philippine province of Masbate has died, media groups said on Wednesday.

Antonio Castillo was shot by two men after a brief motorcycle on June 12 in the town of Uson. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said Castillo was the fifth journalist murdered in the country this year.

Castillo worked for the community paper called "Bigwas." He died while being treated at a hospital.

The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists -- five were murdered last year while 59 have been killed since 2001, based on records from the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

But Teodoro's group said 65 journalists, the majority of them radio announcers and commentators, had been killed since President Gloria Arroyo was swept into power in 2001.

Of the 65 cases, 40 were work-related, he said, adding, investigative stories about drug trafficking, gambling, corruption and other illegal activities involving officials in the country often put reporters at risk.

Journalist shot in central Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 12, 2009) – Unidentified gunmen wounded a journalist in an attack Friday in the central Philippines province of Masbate, reports said.

It said Antonio Castillo was shot by motorcycle gunmen in Masbate. It was unknown whether the attack on the 45-year old tabloid reporter was connected to his job.

Castillo, who works for the tabloid “Bigwasan,” was riding also on his motorcycle when gunmen shot him in the body. He was able to escape and hid on a village until police arrived.

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 the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Masbate businessman assaults radio broadcaster

MASBATE, Philippines (Asian Press / Nov. 24, 2008) - On November 16, at about 11:15 am, a Masbate broadcaster who was assisting passengers of a ferry get refunds was reportedly assaulted by the manager of ferry operator Lobrigo Lines in Mobo town.

Cris “Bigwas” Asebuque, anchor of the daily afternoon program “Bigwasan sa Radyo” over dyME in Masbate and publisher of the weekly paper “Bigwasan sa Diyaryo” suffered a wound over his left eye when John Marc Viceo allegedly hit him with a gun.

Viceo, who is also the former SK Federation president and son-in-law of Mobo Councilor Nestor Lobrigo, arrived at the ticketing office and without any warning,allegedly struck Asebuque.

Fearing for his life, Asebuque immediately ran to maritime police office. Although there were allegedly two policemen in the ticketing office, they failed to arrest Viceo.

Colleagues later told Asebuque, who is also the Vice-president of the Masbate Tri-media Club that Viceo and some companions followed the broadcaster to a hospital where he sought treatment but missed him.

Asebuque was also told that Viceo was irked over blind item reports and commentaries the broadcaster made before linking the latter to the shooting of a barangay captain.

Asebuque has already reported the incident to police and plans to file a formal complaint versus Viceo.

He also learned from police that Viceo has filed a complaint against him, accusing him of stealing P12,000 from their office during the incident.

Presently, the broadcaster is still recovering from his injuries and is unable to work. (IFJ - NUJP Media Safety Office)

Ferry capsized in Central Philippines; 40 dead

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 4, 2008) – Dozens of ferry passengers have died after their vessel capsized Tuesday in the central Philippine province of Masbate, authorities said.

Coast Guard and fishermen rescued more than 70 people from the ill-fated MV Dexter Kathleen. Authorities said as many as 40 passengers were confirmed, including children, after the vessel, battered by huge waves and strong wind, capsized at around noontime.

It was unclear how many passengers were in the boat, but other reports said the vessel was overload, although this could not be independently confirmed. Many of the passengers were not listed on the ferry’s manifest.

Search and rescue operation was halted later in the day because of bad weather and poor visibility, but it is expected to resume by day break. The ferry was heading to Sorsogon province from the Masbate town of Dimasalang. (Mindanao Examiner)

3 Patay, 3 Pa Sugatan Sa Sagupaan Kontra Rebelde Sa Masbate!

QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 28 May) - Tatlong miyembro ng Philippine Army ang napatay habang tatlo pa ang sugatan kasunod ng pakikipagsagupa sa mga gerilya sa Masbate province kahapon.

Nabatid kanina kay AFP Southern Luzon Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rhoderick Parayno na dakong alas-8 ng umaga nang makabakbakan ng mga sundalo ng 9th Infantry Battalion Division ang tinatayang 40 rebelde sa Lahong, Baleno sa naturang lalawigan.

Sinabi ni Parayno sa pahayagang Mindanao Examiner na kinapos ng puwersa ang mga sundalo sa mga rebeldeng pinaniniwalaang nasa likod ng pambobomba sa Globe Telecommunications Inc. tower noong Sabado.

Tumagal ng apat na oras ang sagupaan na nagresulta ng pagkakasawi na hindi muna inihayag ang mga pagkakakilanlan.

Gayunman, nakilala ang mga sugatang sundalo na sina Privates First Class Xzeal De Ocampo, Gerry De la Cruz at Ian Solano.

Hindi naman matukoy ang dami ng mga napinsala sa panig ng gerilyang grupo habang nasamsam mula sa mga ito ang ilang molotov o improvised bombs. (Juley Reyes)

2 Dead In Masbate Ambush

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 06 Apr) – Unidentified gunmen killed two people in an attack in the island province of Masbate, police said Friday.

Police said one man was also wounded in Thursday attack that occurred near the town of Batuhan. The three men were on a motorcycle when gunmen opened fire on them.

The victims were returning home from a political meeting when ambushed. It was unknown if the attack was connected to politics or not, but police said the trio were supporters of the incumbent town mayor Ferdinand Alforte.

Police said the gunmen escaped after the attack. Crime investigators recovered empty shells of an M16 automatic rifle from the ambush area.

Last month, communist insurgents and masked gunmen killed a policeman and a supporter of another town mayor in separate attacks in Masbate.

President Gloria Arroyo ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and all government security agencies to exert all efforts to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the May national elections. (With a report from Juley Reyes)

Globe Telecom, Binanatan Sa Masbate!

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 14 Mar) – Sinunog kanina ng mga hinihinalang rebelde ang dalawang communication site ng Globe Telecom sa lalawigan ng Masbate.

Sa ulat na ibinigay sa Mindanao Examiner ng Kampo Aguinaldo ay nabatid na dakong alas-2 ng madaling araw nang isabotahe ng New People's Army (NPA) ang outdoor cabin ng Globe sa Purok Acacia sa bayan ng Malinta.

Sinundan pa ito ng panibagong pagsalakay bandang alas-3 ng madalingaraw sa transmitter ng Globe sa Sitio Dungon, Barangay Crossing sa katabing bayan naman ng Uson.

Maliit na pinsala lamang ang tinamo ng panununog ng NPA sa naturang mga lugar.Gumamit ang mga komunista ng M16 rifles upang isakatuparan ang panghaharas sa kumpanya.

Ang kabiguan diumano ng Globe Telecom na magbigay ng revolutionary taxes sa NPA ang nakikitang dahilan ng pananabotahe, giit ng militar. (Juley Reyes)