NUJP to monitor first media killing under Aquino admin

Regardless of whether the killing was work-related or not, a media group vowed Tuesday to keep close tabs on how Benigno Aquino III's administration handles the first killing of a media practitioner under its watch. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said it wants to see how the police and the executive department respond to the killing of Jose Daguio last July 4, in Kalinga province. "No matter ano ang dahilan ng pagpatay, isang buhay ang nawala rito. Ang NUJP, lalo this is the first case under the new administration, babantayan nating mabuti kung paano magresponde ang pulis at executive department. Dapat masolusyonan ang kasong ito at ibang kaso (No matter what the motive for the killing was, a life was lost. Since this is the first killing under the new administration, we will keep tabs on how authorities act. The case must be solved soonest)," NUJP director Rowena Paraan said in an interview on dzXL radio. She said the NUJP was saddened that another media practitioner lost his life. She urged authorities to look into the case thoroughly. On Monday, Malacañang condemned the killing and said it was already looking into the case. "I heard about it yesterday [Sunday] and of course we condemn the murder of a journalist. Di ito pinapayagan natin (We will not allow this). I'm sure the president will order an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the murder of the journalist," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told dzXL radio in an interview Monday. Lacierda said the Justice Department under Leila de Lima already has orders to resolve media killings as part of the government's platform of judicial reform.

Unidentified armed men shot dead Daguio, 75, in his residence in Tabuk town. Initial investigation showed Daguio worked for Radyo Natin-Tabuk and was a columnist for a local newspaper in the province. Radio dzRH, a sister station of Radyo Natin Tabuk, reported Monday the victim already left Radyo Natin as early as 2008. On the other hand, police are eying a dispute over a road project contract as a possible motive in the killing. The victim reportedly had a misunderstanding with a certain barangay kagawad (village councilor) Elorde Marcelino who allegedly realigned Daguio's project into a deep well, according to information gathered by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG). Daguio is the fourth media person killed in recent weeks. Victims of recent media killings include Desidario Camangyan of Mati, Davao Oriental, killed July 22; Jovelito Agustin, Ilocos Norte, killed on June 23, and Nestor Bedolido of Digos City in Davao, on June 27. According to the NUJP, 140 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Philippines since 1986. Of the number, 107 have been killed under the recent past administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. [See also IFJ Asia-Pacific article] — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV