Radio broadcaster killed in Negros Occidental shooting

A radio broadcaster was killed in a shooting incident in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday. 

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said investigators are looking into the possible connection of his work as media worker and local government employee to the killing.

“Nag-create na sila ng special task force para sa investigation. Kaugnay po nito, dalawang anggulo po ang tinitignan,” he said.

(They have created a special task force for the investigation. Two angles are being looked at.)

“Kung ito po ay work-related bilang media man or work-related bilang job order ng Himamalaynan local government unit,” he added.

(Whether this was work-related as he was a media person or work-related as he was under a job order of the Himamalaynan local government unit.)

Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo was shot dead on March 20 in Sitio Lapak Kawayanan, Barangay Robles, La Castellana, according to the police. 

The 49-year-old was the program host of “Waswasanay sa Quinto Distrito” on 88.3 DNN News FM.

According to police, Calo was standing outside his home when a white SUV approached and one of its occupants shot him in the head, killing him instantly.

“The PNP condemns in the strongest terms the killing of a broadcast journalist in Negros Occidental. We assure the public and the media community that we will look closely into this case to arrest and charge all those involved in this senseless killing,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

According to the PNP, the police are working with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) to assess threats against other media workers in the area. 

In a statement, the PTFOMS condemned Calo’s killing, saying that an attack on a journalist poses a significant threat to press freedom and the safety of media workers.

The PTFOMS said that Calo’s death is a reminder of the dangers that media practitioners face in the line of duty. 

“The Task Force is fully committed to ensuring that justice is served. We have already coordinated with local law enforcement agencies to prioritize and expedite the investigation of this case,” the PTFOMS said.

“Safeguarding press freedom is a collective responsibility. We call upon all stakeholders, including media organizations and civil society, to unite in defending the fundamental rights of journalists and ensuring their safety,” it added. —KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News