Broadcaster shot dead in Mindoro Oriental

Published June 9, 2014 2:34pm

(Updated 3:33 p.m.) Motorcycle-riding men shot dead a broadcaster in Calapan City in Mindoro Oriental province at noon Monday, a radio report said.

A report on dzBB radio cited initial police reports identifying the victim as Nilo Baculo Sr., 67.

The National Press Club (NPC) said if it would be proven the killing was work-related, Baculo would be the 29th journalist killed during the Aquino administration.

The dzBB report said Baculo was reportedly on his way home when he was shot. He died on the spot. Radio dzBB's Tuesday Niu quoted Mindoro Oriental police chief Senior Superintendent Ronaldo de Jesus as saying that Baculo was shot in Barangay Lalud.

Police are still determining the motive for the shooting, the same report said.

For his part, Supt. Glicerio Cansilao, Calapan City police, said authorities are also looking into reports that the victim was no longer connected to any media firm at the time of his death.

"But whether or not he still works as journalist is not an issue, we are investigating this thoroughly both to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive," Cansilao said.

A statement from the NPC, meanwhile, said Bacolo was an anchorman for dwIM Radyo Mindoro.

"Again, we call on the Aquino administration to pay more serious attention to the worsening case of journalist killings under his watch. If proven to be work-related, Bacolo would be the 29th mediaman killed under Aquino, providing a more solid proof that things are not getting any better for journalists," NPC president Joel Sy Egco said.

"At a rate of seven journalists killed per year since Aquino became president, the Philippines may not only keep its notorious tag as the most dangerous place for journalists on the planet. Worse, Aquino may earn the ill reputation of being the most dangerous president for journalists in the world," Egco added.

Journalists slain this year

Four journalists, including Bacuo, have been killed this year and two of the incidents happened in May, one of which a day after the observance of the World Press Freedom Day.

In April, Cavite-based journalist Rubylita Garcia was killed outside her home.

Richard Nadjid, 35, acting manager of DXNN PowerMix FM in Bongao, Tawi-tawi, was killed night of May 4 while on his way home after playing basketball in Barangay Tubig Boh while on May 23, Samuel Oliverio, 54, was gunned down in Digos City while on his way home from a public market.

Chief Supt. Henry Libay, head of the Philippine National Police Task Force Usig, earlier admitted that no mastermind in the media killings has been convicted for the past 13 years.

Several international media watchdog have asked the government to address the killing of journalists in the Philippines. A recent report by international watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists has also identified the Philippines as the third deadliest country for journalists in the world.

During a joint press conference with then-visiting US President Barack Obama in late April, a Fox News reporter asked Aquino on what his administration was doing in the light of the media killings. To which, the President replied that an inter-agency committee had been set up to look into extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of right to life, liberty, and security of persons. — Joel Locsin with Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: journalistkillings, mediakillings, nilobacolo