Solons condemn gun attack vs. radioman in Sultan Kudarat

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the attack against a broadcaster in the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat early Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, Maguindanao Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu denounced and called for an investigation into the incident involving Benjie Abdul Caballero, station manager of Radyo ni Juan, who was shot by two suspects on board a motorcycle.

“I strongly condemn the shooting of Benjie! It is utterly uncalled for, unnecessary, and absolutely unjust!” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu said Caballero is his dear friend who supported his gubernatorial bid in Maguindanao.

The lawmaker also lamented that Caballero's shooting occurred as they were waiting for the decision on the Maguindanao massacre, which is expected to be released soon as the case reaches its 10th anniversary.

Dubbed as the world's single deadliest attack on journalist in history, the Maguindanao massacre on November 23, 2009 took the lives of 58 individuals, including 32 media practitioners, as they were covering the filing of the certificate of candidacy of Mangudadatu.

Mangudadatu was to run against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the then-Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.

“I have high respects for all media practitioners. I know how dedicated they are to their work. I know their struggles and the dangers they pursue just to get the hard truths; the great distances they have to travel; and the people they meet. I should know! This is why I hold them close to my heart,” the lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said that the hard-hitting stance of Radyo ni Juan against corruption, human rights violations, and government anomalies could have been a factor in the attack against Caballero.

"An independent probe should be launched to bring to the bar of justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act and do not allow the same to be just another entry in the unsolved docket of attacks on members of the media,” Zarate said.

For his part, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Ferdinand Gaite pointed out the presidential order aimed to curb attacks against the media has not been effective.

"President Duterte's Administrative Order that created the task force  to address the rampant media attacks and killings in the country is useless because the attacks are being done with impunity," he said.

As of Thursday, Mangudadatu said Caballero is still fighting for his life. — MDM, GMA News