Media group condemns slay try on Mindanao radioman

MANILA, Philippines — As they condemned the latest attempt on the life of another colleague, Philippine-based journalists accused government of contributing to what it called an increasing drift toward repression of media. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also noted the slay attempt on Cagayan de Oro broadcaster Nilo Labares was the latest whammy for journalists, taking place in the heat of debates over the Right of Reply Bill. "These continued attempts to silence the independent media, whether through physical assaults, government attempts at control or devious legislation are alarming symptoms not just of a general breakdown in law and order but, worse, of an increasing drift toward repression," the NUJP said in a statement on its website (www.nujp.org). Unidentified motorcycle-riding men shot Labares, a broadcaster of Radio Mindanao Network’s station dxCC, Thursday night. NUJP cited colleagues who described Labares as a hard-hitting commentator active in denouncing illegal activities such as cockfights and unlicensed entertainment joints. "Cagayan de Oro journalists say Labares informed his colleagues at RMN that he had been receiving threats before the attack and, at one point, was approached by an emissary of a 'powerful' personality who warned him to stop his tirades against video carera and even asked how much it would take him to do so," it said. As of Friday, NUJP quoted RMN as saying Labares was declared out of danger, but it voiced fears for his safety and security. "While we hope for his speedy recovery, we worry that his safety is far from assured and demand that authorities act posthaste to secure him and others who may be under threat," it said. "Again, while we reiterate that we see no proof of any official policy of directly attacking journalists, we nevertheless lay the blame for this and previous assaults on our colleagues, too many of who have been silenced permanently, on the government, whose inaction and apathy, as well as its actual attempts to muzzle the media and curtail freedom of the press and expression, have nurtured the culture of impunity that emboldens those who wish to silence us," it added. On the other hand, the NUJP lamented the situation is made worse with efforts of "ill-advised lawmakers" to craft repressive legislation like the RORB. It called on journalists and the public to refuse to waver, saying only "united resistance and determination can prevent those who seek to rob us of our freedoms." - GMANews.TV