Man killed at Davao Sur 'not a journalist'

DIGOS CITY (Updated 12:35 p.m.) -- Police officials belied Monday reports that the man who was killed before horrified bystanders in Davao del Sur province last Saturday was a journalist.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa said in a television report Monday that Nestor Bedolido, who was shot six times outside his karaoke pub in this city late Saturday, is more of a propagandist than a journalist.

"He is not a practicing journalist, but is a propagandist. He is working for some political personalities in the province," dela Rosa said.

He said they have already identified the suspect whom he described as a "police character." He clarified, though, that the suspect is not a member of the Philippine National Police but is like a hitman in the area.

Dela Rosa said the gunman shot Bedolido in front of people and then just walked away.

"It was so brazen," he said.

The police and Bedolido's family believe that the killing was politically-motivated.

Marxlen Bedolido, a son of the victim, told a local radio on Sunday that the killing maybe linked to local politics as his father backed a losing gubernatorial candidate in last month's elections.

The victim also reportedly edited a weekly magazine that is supported and published by a local politician.

A media watchdog, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said it was concerned over the killing of the 58-year-old Bedolido.

Two radio broadcasters were separately gunned down barely a week ago, heightening concern over attacks on journalists.

Desidario Camangyan, 52, a radio broadcaster based in Mati City also died from a gunshot wound to the head on June 15 inside the gymnasium of Manay municipality while hosting singing contest.

He was a prominent media personality in Davao Oriental province as he used to host a public affairs show on Sunshine FM radio in Mati City.

Less than 24 hours later, Jovelito Agustin, 37, a reporter and anchorman of local radio station dzJC Aksyon Radyo in northern Ilocos Norte province was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding gunmen.

Agustin's nephew was also injured in the incident.

Police authorities have yet to identify the suspects in both killings.

Political and media killings are common in the Philippines, where 57 supporters of a gubernatorial candidate in Maguindanao province were massacred last year in the country's worst election-related violence. Of that group, at least 30 were journalists.

The NUJP said more than 100 journalists and media workers have been killed in the nine years under outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, sullying the image of the Philippines, which prides itself on having among the freest media in Southeast Asia. (AP/Sunnex)