Radio Manager Escapes Shooting Attempt in the Philippines

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of Philippines (NUJP) in expressing serious concern at another attempted shooting of a journalist in the Philippines.

 

The NUJP local chapter in Sorsogon has called for a “thorough and impartial investigation” after two unidentified men riding motorcycles fired shots at radio commentator and Wow Radio station manager Ramil “Doods” Marianito on September 23.

 

Marianito told NUJP that he was driving his car at around 4:30 PM toward Sorsogon City when the men on motorcycles intercepted his car and fired shots at him. He was able to escape and reported the incident to the police.

NUJP Soroson Chapter Chair
Bobby Labalan, who himself was the recent victim of an assault has called on the authorities to look into the report, identify the culprits and file the necessary charges against them

The incident follows a similar shooting by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle at the dyOW-Bombo Radyo Roxas City broadcast centre in Roxas City, Capiz Province in the Philippines, on the evening of September 14.

 “We are deeply concerned by the series of shootings which highlights the extreme dangers journalists in the Philippines face. The IFJ joins the NUJP in calling on the government of the Philippines to immediately launch an independent investigation into these shootings and act to bring the perpetrators to justice. ” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

The Philippines is amongst the most dangerous countries in the world for media workers. Over 160 journalists have been killed in the Philippines since 1986. This November will be the third anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre – the single worst attack of journalists – in which 58 people were killed.

 

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

 

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

 

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