According to IFJ affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Ferdinand “Bambi” Yngson, station manager at RGMA-Bacolod, was wounded after a shotgun was fired at him outside the Sagay public market.
The suspected gunman, identified as Land Transportation Office deputy officer Romeo Corbo, was arrested immediately following the shot, while attempting to flee the scene.
IFJ Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said the incident was another example of the unsafe conditions which working journalists face in the Philippines.
“Four journalists have been killed in the Philippines already this year,” Park said.
“The Philippines government must act not only to protect the press freedom enshrined in its constitution, but to protect the journalists who seek to enforce it,” she said.
According to witnesses, Yngson and Corbo were involved in an altercation prior to the shooting.
Yngson’s wife said the station manager had been commenting on the corruption of the Land Transportation Office before he was shot.
Yngson is currently receiving treatment for his wounded arm at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City.
“The IFJ calls on the Filipino authorities to find and convict those responsible for this crime, and to lay down an appropriate punishment,” Park said.
“This sort of violence is completely unacceptable. The authorities must set an example that such violations of free expression and human rights will be punished, so that journalists can work without fear,” she said.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries