Foreign journalists slam killing of Davao newsman

WASHINGTON – International journalists’ organizations condemned the killing of Filipino journalist Dennis Denora in Panabo City, Davao del Norte and called on authorities to swiftly identify and arrest his assailants.

Until President Duterte  demonstrates he is serious about protecting journalists, this type of wanton killing will continue, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Denora, publisher and reporter of the privately owned weekly community newspaper, Trends and Times, died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, according to news reports.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said other than setting up a presidential task force on media security, authorities must take more concrete measures to guarantee the safety of journalists.

Regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, the Philippines fell six places in RSF’s 2018 World Press Freedom Index and is now ranked 133rd out of 180 countries.

In Davao del Norte, police have formed a special investigation task group to probe Denora’s murder.

Police chief Senior Supt. Alan Manibog said members of the Special Investigation Task Group Denora held their first case conference yesterday.

“We are looking for witnesses who could provide leads on the killer,” he said in a phone interview. – With Emmanuel Tupas