SENATOR Pia Cayetano condemned Wednesday the recent killings of radio journalists and called for the passage of Freedom of Information Bill under President-elect Benigno Aquino administration.
Desidario Camangyan, 52, of Sunshine FM radio based in Mati City died from a gunshot wound to the head Monday night inside the gymnasium of Manay town in Davao Oriental.
Barely 24 hours later, Joselito Agustin, 37, of dzJC Aksyon Radyo Laoag was shot at least four times past 10 p.m. Tuesday at the boundary of Laoag City and Bacarra town in Ilocos Norte while he was heading home. Agustin died while undergoing treatment at a hospital at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday.
"I join media organizations in strongly condemning the killing of radio anchors Jesse Camangyan of Sunrise FM in Davao Oriental on Monday and Lito Agustin of Aksyon Radyo in Ilocos Norte (Tuesday)," said Cayetano in an e-mail.
"The brazen slaying of journalists, as underscored by the Maguindanao Massacre last year, as well as other forms of violations of press freedom, count among the darkest 'legacies' of Mrs. Gloria Arroyo's nine-year rule," Cayetano said.
Cayetano also expressed her displeasure on the failure of the House of Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Bill.
"The government's indifference to the state of Philippine media was even affirmed recently by the unceremonious 'killing' of the Freedom of Information Bill by Mrs. Arroyo's allies in the closing session of the House," Cayetano said.
"I am hopeful that the incoming administration would make it a priority to decisively address this climate of impunity and to deliver justice long denied the victims and families of unsolved media slayings," she added.
Camangyan was hosting a singing contest when he was shot before shocked spectators, police said Tuesday. Camangyan was sitting on stage when the attacker shot him from behind, Nueva said.
Police report showed that the victim was shot once at close range hitting him in his lower right ear.
Superintendent Querubin Manalang, regional police spokesman, said they have already created Task Force Camangyan, headed by Senior Superintendent Jorge Cruz, to investigate the incident.
Agustin was on his way home to Bacarra town. At the boundary of Bacarra town and Laoag City, a motorcycle with two men overtook his motorcycle and the back rider shot him at least four times. Agustin sustained gunshot wounds on the left side of the body.
The Laoag City police are coordinating with Bacarra town police to see if Tuesday night's shooting was connected with the strafing of Agustin's house in Bacarra last May 7. (Jade C. Zaldivar with reports from Sunnex)