DAVAO CITY – A partylist lawmaker has condemned the killing of the cameraman of CNN-Philippines who was shot dead morning of Thursday in Cavite.
Jojo Oldan, CNN-Philippines assista nt cameraman in the Department of Justice beat, was shot in the head at 5:15 am in Barangay Pinagbuklod in Imus, Cavite, police reports said. Oldan sustained four gunshot wounds.
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said they also condemn the impunity in killings of journalists in the country.
“This is the result of the reigning impunity in our country. Dahil hindi napaparusahan ang mga gumagawa ng mga pagpatay sa mga myembro ng midya, ito ay nagpapatuloy at lumalala. (Because the perpetrators are not charged, the killing continues and worsens.) The Philippines is indeed a very dangerous place for journalists,” Zarate said.
Zarate said the Aquino government “is not doing its job of protecting media workers from these crimes.”
“The continued failure of the government to arrest, prosecute and convict the perpetrators is indicative of how little, if any at all, importance that the Aquino administration is making to stop this murderous rampage and end the state of impunity in our country,” Zarate said.
The killing of Oldan follows the assassination in April of Melinda “Mei” Magsino in Batangas, a correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Magsino was the 32nd journalist killed in the country under the Aquino administration and the 173rd journalist murdered since 1986.
“Violent crimes against journalists and media workers are common, especially those who expose corruption and injustice. The killings of journalists denigrates free speech and democracy in our country,” Zarate said. (davaotoday.com)
