Intl group pushes for quick resolution of Mindanao journalist's killing

An international media group urged the Aquino administration on Wednesday to "act impartially and swiftly" in ensuring justice for murdered journalist Nestor Bedolido of Davao del Sur province in Mindanao. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) made the call as it noted that two provincial officials had been linked to the incident. “The IFJ joins with the NUJP (National Union of Journalists of the Philippines) in calling on the Aquino administration to ensure the murder of Nestor Bedolido is resolved quickly and impartially. Justice in this case will send a strong a message that murdering journalists in the Philippines will not be tolerated by the authorities," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said in an article posted on the IFJ website. IFJ represents 600,000 journalists in 125 countries. Bedolido, of the weekly "The Kastigador" in Digos City, Davao del Sur province, was shot six times on June 19 last year. He died in a hospital. NUJP lawyer Adel Tamano said most killings of journalists had no witnesses but in Bedolido's case the killer has turned himself over to the police. Tamano said suspect Voltaire Mirafuentes had confessed to police and alleged that Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas and Matanao Mayor Butch Fernandez ordered the murder. Cagas and Fernandez have denied the accusation. – VVP, GMANews.TV