Don’t underestimate threats vs. media workers, int'l group asks PNoy after slay of radioman

Following the killing of a broadcaster in Mindoro Oriental on Monday, an international media group on Wednesday urged the Aquino administration to take "concrete" measures to protect media practitioners and to not underestimate threats to them.

In a statement, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres) said the killing of Nilo Baculo Sr., who it said was denied protection by the court in 2008.

“Baculo’s death is a result of the refusal of his request for protection in 2008, when he felt his life was threatened. We urge President Benigno Aquino III to adopt concrete measures to protect journalists and not underestimate the threats they face every day,” it said.

Also, the group said the murder of Baculo "testifies yet again to the climate of impunity for the enemies of freedom of information in the Philippines.”

It noted Baculo was the second journalist to be killed in recent months, following a tabloid reporter who was shot in her home in April.

"One of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists, the Philippines is ranked 149th out of 180 countries in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index," it said.

A motorcycle-riding gunman shot Baculo in Calapan City last Monday.

RSF noted Baculo asked the Supreme Court for provisional protection, claiming there was a threat to his life, but an appeals court rescinded this in June 2008 for supposed lack of evidence.

"Baculo stopped hosting news programs on dwIM radio in March this year, but relatives said he continued to work as a journalist. Described as 'controversial' by other local journalists, he made many enemies because of his investigative coverage of crimes and irregularities involving local officials," it said.

But RSF also noted Baculo was informed local officials linked to drug trafficking may have put out a contract for his murder. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News