Molotov Bomb Attack on Radio Station, “Alarming Twist in Targeted Violence”

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked by the latest violent attack on the media in the Philippines, which involved a Molotov bomb strike on a radio station in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

According to IFJ affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), at around 2am on March 13 a lone motorcycle rider lobbed a Molotov bomb (also known as a petrol bomb) at dxCC radio station in Cagayan de Oro City, before speeding off.

“This is an alarming twist in the targeted violence against the media in the Philippines,” IFJ President Christopher Warren said.

Only the news director, who was preparing for the early morning broadcast, and a guard were in the station at the time of the explosion, which destroyed the station's L-300 van, and damaged the station’s signboard and staff vehicles. No one was injured.

“Thankfully no one was hurt, however this could have been so much worse,” Warren said.

“Daily life for a journalist in the Philippines continues to be a hazardous business, and the government and authorities must do more to develop a safe environment for media workers,” said the president of the IFJ, the organisation representing more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries. 

Police reportedly found fragments at the scene which indicated that a homemade Molotov bomb was use, however they have no suspects.

The NUJP reports the perpetrator was riding an XTRM motorcycle with no plate number.

“The IFJ demands a full investigation into the attack,” Warren said.