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| Palace condemns journalist's slay, orders probe |
 MANILA, Philippines – As it condemned the incident, Malacañang ordered an investigation into the killing of a journalist in Kalinga province last weekend, the first under the Aquino administration. "I heard about it and of course we condemn the murder of a journalist. 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 said. He 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 Jose Daguio, 75, at his home in Kalinga province in Northern Luzon last Saturday. Initial investigation showed Dagio worked for Radyo Natin-Tabuk and was a columnist for a local newspaper in the province. But police are still looking into whether the killing was related to his work as a journalist, or if it had to do with a land dispute. On the other hand, dzRH radio, a sister station of Radyo Natin Tabuk, reported Monday that the victim already left Radyo Natin as early as 2008. Philippine media groups are still reeling over the killing of media practitioners under the Arroyo administration. Over 100 journalists were killed during the nine-year reign of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Just last month, three media workers were killed in a span of one week, prompting a local media group, the National Press Club, to seek a ìsuper-body" to stop media killings. International media groups also called on government for action to solve the killing of Nestor Bedolido, Jovelito Agustin, and Desidario ìJessie" Camangyan. Bedolido, 50, a reporter with The Kastigador weekly newspaper, was shot six times outside of a Digos City karaoke bar while he was buying cigarettes. The assailant escaped on a motorcycle driven by an unidentified accomplice. Bedolido was pronounced dead on arrival at the local Gonzales Hospital. Agustin, of dzJC Aksyon Radyo-Laoag in Ilocos Norte, died hours after he was shot on his way home. About 24 hours earlier, Desidario “Jessie” Camangyan, anchorman of Sunrise FM in Mati, Davao Oriental, was killed by a single shot to the head as he hosted a singing contest in Manay. (MNS) |