KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/10 May) – The Tingog Mindanao Radio Alliance (TIMRA), an association of radio stations in the island, has called on the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to expedite their investigation on the killing of a reporter of one of their member-stations in Davao Oriental.
Nestor Libaton, who worked for TIMRA member DXHM, a radio station based in Mati City which is an affiliate of the Catholic Media Network, was killed on Tuesday by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Tarragona town in Davao Oriental.
In a statement, Fr. Ignacio Rellin, OMI, chief executive officer of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC) and a conven0r of TIMRA, said the group has joined colleagues in seeking justice on Libaton’s killing.
Rellin said that whether the attack was work-related or based on a personal grudge is not important. What was apparent, he stressed, is that Libaton, who has not been involved in any crime, does not deserve such kind of death.
Libaton, the statement said, is the third member of media killed within the last 15 days.
On April 24, Rommel Palma of Bombo Radyo was killed in Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Six days later, Michael Calanasan was shot to death in Laguna province.
“We call on anyone, the witnesses in particular, with vital information to help authorities identify the suspects so that justice for the Libaton killing would be served,” said the statement. (Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews)