Media groups condemn killing of radio anchor in Capiz

MANILA, Philippines - A New York-based international media group scored Friday the killing of Radio Mindanao Network anchor Martin Roxas, the second attack on a journalist this week. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the attacks cause grave concern. "Two attacks against outspoken radio commentators in a week is of grave concern to us and our colleagues in the Philippines. For nearly two years, we saw a lull in journalist killings. These two attacks, and the murder of columnist Benefredo Acabal in April, are an alarming sign that violence against Philippine journalists may be on the rise. We send our condolences to Roxas' family and urge authorities to bring justice swiftly," said Elisabeth Witchel, CPJ's Impunity Campaign Coordinator, in a statement on CPJ's website. Investigation showed two men shot Roxas in the back as he drove his motorcycle from DYVR station in Roxas City in Capiz Thursday. Police said Roxas died soon afterward at a local hospital from a gunshot wound in the spine. Roxas covered political issues in his show and police were investigating his recent coverage. Dennis Cuesta, a General Santos City radio commentator for RMN, is still in a coma after suffering serious head injuries when gunmen on motorcycles shot him Last Monday. "There is no apparent connection between the two shootings," CPJ said. Meanwhile, France-based Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres/RSF) condemned the killing, the fourth murder of a journalist so far this year in the Philippines. "We strongly condemn this killing, which is the fourth murder of a journalist so far this year in the Philippines, and we urge the authorities to adopt measures to protect media personnel and put a stop to the deterioration in the security situation for the press," it said on its website. - GMANews.TV