Media groups decry killing of 11th journo under Duterte administration

MEDIA groups yesterday denounced the murder of another journalist — the 11th victim since the start of the Duterte administration in 2016 — on Thursday afternoon.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club (DNPRC) denounced the killing of Dennis Wilfredo Denora, publisher of the community newspaper Trends and Times in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

“Denora was the 11th journalist killed in the less than two years since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office and the 184th since 1986,” the NUJP noted.

The victim was shot by an unidentified gunman who fled on foot after the shooting, Panabo City police reported.

Denora, 67, was seated in front of a sedan car that was cruising along the city’s national highway when he was shot.

He was killed on the spot.

The NUJP said that while there was still no official word on the possible motive for his murder, it was likely related to his work as a journalist.

“Denora’s colleagues in the province acknowledge that he was ‘fearless’ in his commentaries in broadcast and print,” the group added.

The NUJP-Davao Chapter said Denora’s killing was an affront on press freedom and amplifies the existing climate of fear among journalists who are working in their local communities.

“His death underscores the worsening state of media killings in the country. With this, we want the government to take concrete actions to stop these senseless killings by speedily resolving these cases and bring people who attack journalists [to justice],” NUJP Davao said.

In a separate statement, the DNPRC said Denora, also an officer and member of the Davao Region Multi-Media group (DRMMG), was known for his fearless commentaries both in print and on the radio.

“[Denora’s] death awakens the anger and pains of journalists who do their job and yet are being judged by the pistol,” the group said.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security said its secretariat has already directed the National Police Task Force Usig to conduct a “deep investigation” into Denora’s killing.

Task Force Usig is a special police unit created to investigate media killings.

A Special Investigation Task Group will be formed to lead the local probe, it said.

“Like in previous cases, whether related to work or not, it is our official policy to initially treat any violent incident involving media workers as ‘workelated,’” said Task Force executive director Joel Egco.

“We will leave no stone unturned to serve the ends of justice. Make no mistake about it,” Egco said.

Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, police spokesperson for Region 11, said Denora was inside his car, a Hyundai Elantra, when a still unidentified gunman shot him and his driver, Mayonito Rivera.

Rivera survived two gunshot wounds in his right hand and is now recovering at the Rivera Medical Center in Panabo.

Denora succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds on his head.

The slain journalist’s remains were brought to Villa Funeral Parlor in Barangay Salvacion in Panabo.

Police recovered from the crime scene three fired bullets and one cartridge case believed to be from a caliber .45 pistol.

There were five other journalists from Mindanao killed since the start of the Duterte administration: Apolinario Suan Jr. of Surigao del Sur, Marlon Muyco of Kidapawan City, Rudy Alicaway of Zamboanga del Sur, Leodoro Diaz of Sultan Kudarat, and Christopher Lozada of Bislig City.

There were also three from Luzon: Larry Que of Catanduanes, Mario Cantaoi of Ilocus Sur, and Joaquin Briones of Masbate, and one from Visayas: Edmund Sestoso of Dumaguete. (raymund villanueva for kodao, and antonio colina iv of mindanews)