The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate
the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
(NUJP) in condemning the killing of
another journalist in
the Philippines, on May 8.
Nestor
Libaton, and a news reporter for Roman Catholic church-owned radio station DXHM,
was shot and killed by gunmen at approximately 2 pm on May 8 in Mati City,
Davao del Sur, in the southern Philippines.
Libaton
was shot while riding a motorcycle on a local highway by gunmen also on a
motorcycle, according to regional police commander Chief Superintendent Jaime
Morante. Libaton was shot seven times.
According to
reports from the NUJP, the suspected gunmen are yet to be identified, and police
are yet to establish the motive behind the attack.
“The IFJ
joins the NUJP in calling on authorities to see that the investigation into the
murder is effective and quickly establishes a motive for the attack,” IFJ
Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
Nestor
Burgos, chairman of the NUJP, said that Libaton's colleagues said he may have
been killed because of his work, although details were not immediately
available.
Libaton
was married with four children.
Libaton
is the fourth media person killed within the last 30 days. Aldion
Layao, was killed in Davao City, on April 8, Michael Calanasan was killed in Laguna on
April 24 and Rommel
Palma was killed in Koronadal City on April 30.
The Philippines
is amongst the most dangerous countries in the world for media workers. Over
150 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since
1986.
on motorbikes have become common perpetrators of attacks on media workers in the Philippines.
For
further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0950
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific
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