Motorcycle-riding men strafe Capiz radio station, local and intl groups voice concern

Unidentified motorcycle-riding men fired shots at a radio station in Capiz province over the weekend, drawing statements of concern from local and international media watchdog groups.

 

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the strafing of the dyOW-Bombo Radyo occurred in Roxas City in Capiz province shortly after the station signed off evening of Sept. 14.

 

NUJP Roxas City chapter chairman John Heredia said their initial information showed two men aboard a motorcycle fired at the broadcast center of the station along Arnaldo Blvd. at around 9:30 p.m. 

 

Warren French, Bombo Radyo area manager for Visayas, told NUJP a few deskmen, technical staff and a security guard were at the station when the strafing happened.

 

No one was hurt in the incident, even as police have already been deployed to man the station, French added.

 

Citing an account of the incident on the station's Facebook page, the NUJP said a security guard at the nearby Paraiso KTV Bar saw the two men stop in front of the station.

 

"The back rider pulled out a gun and fired at the building. Another witness, aliased Daday, said she saw the two men sped away toward the city proper immediately after the shooting," the NUJP said.

 

Recovered from the scene were 11 shells of a 9-mm pistol and a slug from a gun of unknown caliber.

 

Authorities also discovered bullet marks at the steps leading to the building’s entrance.

 

While the motive has not been immediately established, the NUJP quoted French as saying the station has been discussing issues such as the killing of a village official and the reprimand of Capiz Provincial Jail officials by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency over their reported special treatment to a prisoner arrested over drugs.

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed deep concern at the shooting.

 

“The IFJ again expresses its deep concern regarding this continuing pattern of escalating violence and attacks against the media in the Philippines throughout 2012,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.  

“We call on the authorities of the Philippines to immediately investigate the shootings and bring to justice those responsible,” she added. — ELR, GMA News