3 journos killed in 14 days

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Two radio broadcasters were shot in separate incidents in Tagum and Iloilo City between the night of Dec. 10, the International Human Rights Day, and the morning after.   

One of them died on the spot, making him the third journalist murdered only in a span of 14 days.

The Media Safety Office of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said minutes after his final broadcast, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Rogelio 'Tata' Butalid, 46, blocktime commentator at Radyo Natin Tagum, right outside the station's studios at Sobrecary St., Tagum City on Wednesday morning.

Investigators claimed at around 9 a.m., Butalid was about to ride his motorcycle when the assailants fired shots at him. He sustained seven gunshot wounds.

Butalid, also a barangay kagawad of Barangay Mankilam, has been working for community radio since his college days.

Before the killing, his commentaries have reportedly focused on electric power issues in Davao del Norte province.

On the night of Dec. 10, unidentified assailants shot and wounded radio reporter Jhonavin Villalba, 43, of dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo while he was opening the gate of his home in Bgy. Cuartero, Iloilo.  Two men aboard a motorcycle reportedly fired shots at him, according to the Iloilo chapter of NUJP.

The Iloilo-based commentator sustained gunshot wounds in his toe and ankle, and was immediately rushed to Iloilo Mission Hospital for treatment.

Investigators found shells of 9mm caliber where the broadcaster was shot.

Butalid and Villalba are the third and fourth journalists attacked in shooting incidents during the past two weeks. Three of these four, including Villalba, died.

On Friday (Dec. 6), Prime FM National Supervisor and program director Michael Milo was shot dead, also by unidentified gunmen, in Tandag City while he was driving along Bgy. Mabua.  Motorcycle gunmen riding suspects riddled him with bullets.

Though the NUJP Media Safety Office in Mindanao is currently investigating if Milo's killing is work-related.

A week earlier, on Nov. 29, Bukidnon-based commentator Joas Dignos was shot dead in Valencia City. The motive appears to be work-related, said Rowena Paraan, executive coordinator of the NUJP Media Safety Office.

If also proven work-related, Bulid and Milo would be the 159th and 160th journalists killed in the line of duty under Pres. Benigno Aquino III's watch.

So far, NUJP has recorded 19 work-related media murders, an average of six per year under Aquino's term.