Philippines: Radio journalist shot dead, third since June 2022

2023-05-31T15:24:35.846Z

Highlights: Cresenciano Bunduquin, a 50-year-old radio journalist, was shot dead by gunmen riding a motorcycle in Calapan, central Philippines. One of the attackers was killed by the journalist's son, who hit him with his car as he fled the crime scene. This is the 3rd murder of a journalist in the archipelago, since President Ferdinand Marcos Junior came to power in June 2022. The media are regularly the target of assassinations and intimidation, even though the Marcos administration pushed the country up the press freedom index.

A radio journalist was shot dead outside his home in the central province of Eastern Mindoro in the central Philippines on Wednesday 31 May. This is the 3rd murder of a journalist...

Philippines: Radio journalist shot dead, third since June 2022

A radio journalist was shot dead outside his home in the central province of Eastern Mindoro in the central Philippines on Wednesday 31 May. This is the 3rd murder of a journalist in the archipelago, since President Ferdinand Marcos Junior came to power in June 2022.

This photo taken on May 31, 2023 and received from the public information office of the Eastern Mindoro Provincial Police shows police investigators searching for evidence after broadcaster Cresenciano Bunduquin was shot dead outside his home by armed men on motorcycles in Calapan City, Eastern Mindoro Province, south of Manila. AFP - HANDOUT

Text by: RFI Follow

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Cresenciano Bunduquin, a 50-year-old radio journalist, was shot dead by gunmen riding a motorcycle in Calapan, central Philippines. According to police, one of the attackers was killed by the journalist's son, who hit him with his car as he fled the crime scene. The other suspect managed to flee.

Cresenciano Bunduquin hosted a show on 101.7 DWXR radio and on Facebook, according to radio director Jester Joaquin, who described a journalist as "uncompromising." The host was known for his coverage of sensitive topics such as recent oil pollution in the region, illegal betting and local politics.

He told me he had received threats, but without further details," the radio director said. He had mentioned his wish to change careers, and that's why he started a chicken farm, because he wanted to live in peace," he added.

Police will try to determine whether the journalist's murder was related to his professional activity or a private dispute, according to Colonel Delorino. Last October, another radio journalist, Percival Mabasa, was shot dead on his way to his studio on his way to his studio.

>> READ ALSO: Philippines: a journalist killed at his home, the 21st in five years

The murder of Cresenciano Bunduquin shows once again how journalists in the Philippines work in a climate of threats, despite our progress in the press freedom index and more respectful relations with the current administration," said the president of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines. Jonathan de Santos.

The media are regularly the target of assassinations and intimidation, even though the Marcos administration has pushed the country up the press freedom index compared to its predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. Another major problem is the impunity of the perpetrators of such abuses, who are only very rarely prosecuted. This increases "the risk of such attacks," according to the Union of Filipino Journalists.

Philippines: Radio journalist shot dead, third since June 2022

Philippines: Radio journalist shot dead, third since June 2022

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