In a single day on November 10, a journalist was shot and two others were arrested for cyber libel, raising concern on the state of journalists’ safety amidst the pandemic and the impunity.
The media organizations under BUGKOS Media Action Group strongly condemn the killing of broadcaster Rogelio ‘Tata’ Butalid of Tagum City, and we join the insistent call for justice for all victims of media killings in our country. We demand no less than the most decisive state intervention to end the senseless murder of journalists and the blatant mockery of our nation’s democracy and justice system.
Conde further said that with the spate of killings, “the Aquino administration needs to declare that the attacks on journalists are a national catastrophe that threatens fundamental liberties.”
He said investigators were looking at several angles to the killing, “because of his several involvement with political and civic organizations, including on the Daneco row”.
Police probe the crime scene where radio commentator Rogelio 'Tata' Butalid was shot outside of Radyo Natin Tagum in Sobrecary Street last Wednesday past 9am. (davaotoday.com photo by Earl O. Condeza)