NUJP wants Duterte probed for Jun Pala slay

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Wednesday called for an investigation on the death of radio broadcaster Jun Pala in 2003, following the claims of retired SPO3 Arthur Lascañas.

"The recent revelation of SPO3 Arthur Lascañas that the murder of Davao broadcaster Jun Pala was allegedly ordered by now President Rodrigo Duterte deserves serious investigation," NUJP chairman Ryan Rosauro said in a statement.

"If Duterte did order Pala’s murder, then he should be tried and convicted for it, no ands, ifs or buts," he added.

Lascañas said on Monday that he was hired by Duterte, through the latter’s trusted aide SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura, to assassinate Pala.

“Sabi ni Sonny, galit na galit si Mayor Rody kay Jun Pala dahil sa palagi nitong atake araw-araw sa radyo,” Lascañas said.

Lascañas said he was given by Duterte a bonus of P1 million for killing Pala.

The NUJP said the testimonies of witnesses "may finally lay bare the truth behind Pala's death and help temper the culture of impunity that continues to wreak havoc on countless lives, due process and the rule of law."

"Whatever his sins may have been, Pala, just like all the other journalists murdered in this country since 1986, was deprived of his life without due process," Rosauro said, adding that justifying Pala's death meant justifying the deaths of other slain journalists.

Pala, a broadcaster of Davao-based radio dxGO and a critic of Duterte, was killed on September 6, 2003.

In a news conference in May, Duterte tagged Pala as one of the journalists who were corrupt and deserved to be killed.

He said he knew who killed the radio commentator.

"Ang example natin dito, kung tagarito ka man, si Pala. I don't want to demean his memory but he was a rotten son of a bitch. He deserved it. Eh ganu'n eh," Duterte said.

"Of course I know who killed him. Kasi binastos niya 'yung tao eh," he added.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) said Pala was a vocal critic of communist rebel groups and even served as a spokesperson for the anti-communist vigilante group Alsa Masa.

It added that Pala had been criticizing local and national political personalities including Duterte on his radio program "Isumbong Mo Kay Pala" before he was killed.

CMFR said Pala’s family refused to submit the broadcaster's body for an autopsy and police were unable to identify the slugs in his body.

The Davao City police released cartographic sketches of four possible suspects — the two motorcycle-riding gunmen and two lookouts.

Until now, no  suspects  have  been  identified and no witnesses have been found. —NB, GMA News