WE JOIN our Kidapawan City chapter in condemning the murder of Brigada News FM anchor Eduardo Dizon, who was shot dead late Wednesday night, July 10, as he drove home after hosting his regular program.
Dizon’s murder was likely related to his work as a broadcaster.
We have confirmed that a few days before his death, he had filed a report with the Kidapawan police after he received a challenge to a “duel” and his station’s hotline received a text message from mobile number 09353435064 that said: “Bantay mo Brigada mamatay unya mo bantay2 mo kay naa mupusil ninyo.” (Watch out Brigada because you will die, just wait someone will shoot you.)
This would make Dizon the 13th journalist slain in the line of duty under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the 186th since 1986.
Dizon’s murder underscores yet again how the overwhelming failure of government to ensure justice for violent crime can only invite even more bloodshed by perpetrators emboldened by the certainty that they can literally get away with murder.
We demand that authorities solve Dizon’s murder and ensure the perpetrators are caught and successfully prosecuted.
At the same time, we demand that government do its duty and end the culture of impunity that continues to embolden those for whom violence is the preferred means to resolve disputes. (By National Union of Journalists of the Philippines)