Int'l media group pushes preemptive action vs media killings in PHL

Following the killing of a radio host in Bukidnon last Nov. 29, an international media watchdog group called on the Philippine government to take "preemptive" action against media killings.

Reporters Without Borders (or RSF) said that while it welcomes the creation of a task force to probe the killing of Joash Dignos, authorities must take preventive security measures when a journalist is threatened.

“We hail the creation of a special task group to catch the perpetrators and instigators of this murder, but the authorities must act preemptively to end violence against journalists. Dignos had been threatened for some time and should have had protection. A special task group could have been created after the first threats. Execution-style killings of journalists should not be regarded as inevitable,” the group said.

Dignos was gunned down on Nov. 29 in Valencia City.

RSF cited reports indicating that when Dignos went to the toilet, four unidentified men gunned him down and then left on motorcycles.

It added Dignos, 48, hosted a show called Bombardier on dxGT Radio Abante.

He had criticized authorities on his radio program and had received death threats.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dignos, whose murder has again highlighted the dangers to which journalists are exposed in the Philippines,” RSF said.

It lamented the killing came about a week after the fourth anniversary of the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

“Coming six days after the anniversary of the 2009 massacre of 32 journalists in nearby Maguindanao, now commemorated as International Day to End Impunity, the murder shows that the Philippine authorities still have a great deal to do to fulfill their duty to protect journalists and combat the continuing impunity," RSF said.

The RSF also noted a grenade was thrown at the radio station while Dignos' program was being broadcast last June.

It added the manner of the murder was similar to that of radio journalist Jesus Tabanao, who was shot five times by a man on a motorcycle in Cebu City on Sept. 14.

The RSF noted the Philippines is 140th out of 179 countries in the 2013 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. — LBG, GMA News