We condemn in the strongest way possible the murder of broadcaster Fernando “Batman” Lintuan, the first president of the Davao Sportswriters Association.
Initial reports revealed that a gunman riding on a motorcycle shot Mr. Lintuan at close range while he was on board a car leaving his radio station, DXGO Aksyon Radyo, at about 10 am, today. He sustained a gunshot wound in the head. Two other broadcasters, Louie Ceniza and Edgar Banzon were with him in the car.
This was the second attempt on the life of Batman, as he is fondly called by friends and family. The first attempt was in the late 1980s when he and other broadcasters were shot at inside the booth of radio station DXRA.
He was also an official of the Philippine Sports Commission at the time of his death.
The killing of Mr. Lintuan only shows how barbaric this society has become and how dangerous it is for members of the Fourth Estate to do their duties in this part of the globe.
This is doubly sorrowful for the media community here considering that Batman was murdered on the eve of Christmas Day that while other people are celebrating the nativity, his family will lose its only breadwinner as the late broadcaster lost his wife to cancer a few years ago.
The late broadcaster was known for his stinging commentaries against erring politicians, backing this up with good research and evidence.
We call on the authorities to conduct an in-depth probe on the killing of Mr. Lintuan and bring those people involved to the bar of justice.
For Reference:
Carmelito Q. Francisco
Chairperson
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) – Davao Chapter
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