(TARLAKENYO) May 31, 2023 — The Prime Alliance of Publishers, Editors, and Reporters (PAPER.Ph) condemned the killing of a radio broadcaster in Calapan City.
Cresenciano ‘Cris’ Aldovino Bundoquin, 50, of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, was gunned down by two unidentified suspects riding in tandem in Barangay Canubing I around 4:20 am. Bundoquin died on the spot.
“We express our profound sympathy and solidarity with the family, friends, and colleagues of Cresenciano Aldovino Bundoquin, a dedicated and professional journalist who was brutally murdered,” the PAPER.Ph statement said.
PAPER.Ph National President Louie Angeles said that the killing of journalists should stop.
“We have lost a lot of respectable journalists through killings with impunity over the years and this has to stop,” said Angeles, who is also a broadcast journalist.
The media group also urged journalists to join forces to uphold press freedom.
“We also encourage media professionals, journalist organizations, and the public to stand together in combating violence and violations against press freedom. We uphold a society that values and upholds freedom of the press and respects the truth-seekers.”
DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER
According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) website, there are 20 journalists killed this year – Bundoquin now becomes the 21st.
In 2022, 50% of slain journalists were targeted off-duty while they were at home or in public places.
The journalists were targeted while traveling, in their homes, and in public places. This reflects that media persons are not safe even in private spaces.
“After several years of consecutive declines, the steep rise in the number of journalists killed in 2022 is alarming. Authorities must step up their efforts to stop these crimes and ensure their perpetrators are punished because indifference is a major factor in this climate of violence,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.
Among the 86 journos killed last year, 23 were in conflict zones. Asia and the Pacific registered 16 killings while the deadliest countries were Mexico (19 killed), Ukraine (10), and Haiti (9).
