Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Broadcaster killed in Palawan
MANILA -- Two unidentified armed men shot dead a journalist in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Monday, bringing to 71 the total number of journalists slain since 1986.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director Avelino Razon said they have created a task force to look into the killing of Fernando Batul, 37, an announcer of radio station dyPR, who was also a former vice mayor.
Batul was on board a multi-cab vehicle with license plate JKI-718 at around 12 p.m. noon when the two motorcycle-riding men opened fire at him at the corner of Valencia and Manalo Streets in Puerto Princesa City.
Razon said Batul, who was on his way to the radio station, sustained six gunshot wounds in the head and in the body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the police to immediately bring to justice Batul's killers.
"The Palawan provincial police office has created a task force composed of several units to look into this case and exert effort to solve," said Razon.
The task force includes the local PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
When asked if the killing of Batul was work-related, Razon said: "We don't know yet. It was not mentioned in the (initial) report but this brings to 71 the total (number of journalists killed) since 1986."
Razon refused to comment on the possible motives for the killing saying it would be speculative at this point.
Told that the broadcaster had been criticizing the military and the police in the province, Razon said investigators would be looking into this angle.
"The composite teams of Palawan provincial police office are looking into these things and they will exert effort to resolve this case as soon as possible," Razon also said of the latest killing of a journalist.
Meanwhile, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President condemned the killing of Fernando Batul.
Bunye, who is also Presidential spokesman, said the President wants immediate results from the PNP particularly, the newly formed Task Force Usig, under Razon.
Task Force Usig was created to act on the unsolved murders of members of the media, militant members and government officials.
Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn had made available a P500,000 reward for anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the Batul's killers.
Last week, unidentified men murdered Alberto Orsolino, a photojournalist from the tabloid "Saksi", in Caloocan City. The PNP has also formed a task force to look into the killing. (VR/JMR/Sunnex)
(May 23, 2006 issue)
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