By Cheryll D. Fiel
Davao Today
A broadcaster was shot dead in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, according to the latest news alert by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
Jonathan Petalvero, 43, was in a restaurant when suspects went inside and shot him, the NUJP news alert said, citing police reports. Petalvero sustained a lone gunshot wound on the head from a .45 caliber pistol and was declared dead when brought to the New Bayugan Doctors Hospital. The suspects got away on a motorcycle.
There were conflicting reports on the exact date of the shootingsome news reports said it was on June 26, while others said it was on June 27but police said it was on the evening of June 25, said the NUJP statement.
Petalvero, a barangay (village) councilor, hosted a morning radio program “Balita at Komentaryo” in the local station dxFM “Frenster Radio,” in Bayugan town.
Bayugan Vice Mayor Genesis Efren reportedly owned the radio station. Efren is planning to run for city mayor next year against the son of Bayugan towns incumbent mayor, Magdalena Asis.
NUJP cited initial reports on Petalvero gunning for either the city council or as vice mayor under Efren’s political party.
PO2 Alan Conson of the Bayugan police said there are no leads yet as to the motive of the killing. Police has not released any sketch of the suspect yet since witnesses say the gun man was wearing a ski mask.
Petalvero is the 4th journalist killed this year.
A journalist is being shot in the country every month since the beginning of the year except for the month of April.
Badrodin Abas of DXCM was shot dead in Cotabato City in January, while Ernie Rollin of DXSY AM was killed in Oroquieta town in Misamis Occidental in February. Nilo Labares of DCC Radyo Agong survived a shooting incident in Cagayan de Oro in March; while Harrison Manalac, broadcaster of DXXE survived after he was shot in Buug town in Zamboanga Sibugay in May.
Petalvero is the second journalist killed in June after Crispin Perez, a broadcaster was shot dead in Mindoro Occidental on June 10.
All victims this year were broadcasters. The killing of Petalvero brought to 66, the total number of journalists killed under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. There have been 103 deaths of journalists since 1986, when democracy was supposedly restored in the country. (Cheryll Fiel/davaotoday.com)
Extrajudicial Killings
