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Gerry Ortega’s family, supporters question trial transfer to QC

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13-year case vs accused ex-governor Joel Reyes ‘taking too long’

The 13-year struggle for justice for slain broadcaster and environmental champion Dr. Gerry Ortega faces more delay as the trial against accused mastermind and former Palawan governor Joel Reyes has been transferred from Puerto Princesa to Quezon City (QC).

In a statement Wednesday, January 24, Ortega’s family said they find themselves on the brink of renewed grief as further delay confronts their quest for justice.

“Haven’t we already waited too long? Isn’t 13 years enough?” the family asked.

The Supreme Court (SC) granted the petition by Reyes in a decision penned last December 4 but was only recently made known to the complainants.

Reyes, patriarch of a political dynasty in Palawan, is accused as mastermind of the first media killing under the Benigno Aquino government in January 24, 2011.

Condemnations

The Justice for Doctor Gerry Ortega campaign and environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment led a protest rally at the SC Wednesday, saying the High Court’s decision is “questionable.”

“It just goes to show how the camp of Joel Reyes is able to stall the case, and why we must continue to demand swift justice for our slain environmental defenders,” Kalikasan national coordinator Jon Bonifacio said.

“We urge UN (United Nations) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan to pay close attention surrounding the Doc Gerry Ortega’s case, so she can see the reality of persistent threats to freedom of expression in the country,” Bonifacio continued.

Khan is in the Philippines for an official investigation of cases of press freedom violations, including Ortega’s murder.

The UN expert met with a representative of the Ortega family last Tuesday.

In a statement, human rights group Karapatan blamed government’s lack of political will to deliver justice for Ortega.

“The lack of political will and the extreme delay in bringing to justice the killers of slain broadcaster Gerry Ortega, and in other victims of extrajudicial killings, are now on the (Ferdinand) Marcos Jr. administration,” the group said.

The National Union of Journalists of Philippines (NUJP) joined the protest, saying it is surprised by the transfer when the accused remains in hiding, refusing to submit to the jurisdiction of the court where he was being tried.

“We strongly believe that there is no justifiable reason to transfer the case, and doing so will only prolong the trial that is already proceeding in earnest at the Palawan Regional Trial Court,” the media group said.

Enduring hope

The Ortega family said they remain hopeful that they will ultimate find justice.

“The past 13 years have been difficult, marked by challenges. Yet, the outpouring of support from the media, environmental defenders, human rights advocates, friends, and our community sustains our determination to see this through. Today, we express immense gratitude for your unwavering solidarity and support,” it said.

“Our family remains resolute, and we continue to hope for a fair, timely, and just resolution to the case. Thank you for standing with us on this challenging journey,” it added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Paggunita sa Pamamaslang

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ni Bienvenido Lumbera

Tuwing umaga tumitilaok pa rin ang mga tandang,

Nag-iinat ang murang dahon ng damong ligaw,

Humahagibis ang trak ng military.

Sa hukay na inukab sa parang ng backhoe ng Ampatuan,

 Nakanganga ang lupang naghihintay

Sa mga bangkay ng mga pinaslang.

Sa kagubatan, humihilab ang bunga ng durian,

At may isinasabog ang hangin na masangsang na halimuyak

Na pagdaan sa gilid ng nakangangang hukay

Ay mistulang amoy ng nalulusaw na laman.

Walang pakialam ang mga tandang, ang damong ligaw

At ang kumakaripas na mga sasakyan at ang hinog na durian,

Wala silang gunita na may naganap na pamamaslang.

Paano na ang mga inulila na naghihintay pa hanggang ngayon

Na malapatan ng katarungan ang mga berdugo at mastermind?

Sino ang babalot ng kumot sa bunsong giniginaw?

Papaano babahawin ang sugat ng malay

Ng asawang binalo ng pamamaslang?

Paano hihilumin ang pusong winindang ng biglang pasabi

Ang anak na wala namang kaaway ay walang awang pinatay?

Sumusubo ng pandesal ang abogado ng mga Ampatuan.

Minamasahe ni misis ang hita at baywang ng hukom.

Kinakamot ng burukratang kagigising lamang ang kanyang bayag

Habang tinutunghan ang pahayagan.

May nagmamartsang mga kabataan, may tarpulin na iwinawagayway:

Usigin ang mga Kriminal! Hustisya sa mga Biktima!

Ang pangkat ng mga manggagawa ay nagpipiket sa gate ng hukuman.

Nananawagang makilahok ang bayan sa paghingi ng katarungan

Ang mga pari at madreng nagdarasal.

Ang kabuktutan ng mga Ampatuan

Ay krimeng politikal na pinasikal

Ng Pangulong hayok sa kapangyarihan.

Wakasan ang pagtangkilik sa naghahari-harian,

Kamao ng hustisya, idagok sa mga kriminal!

Pag kimi ang pamahalaan, dumarahas ang sambayan.

Unang binasa ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining at tagapangulo ng Kodao Productions na si Ka Bien Lumbera (+) ang tulang ito noong Hunyo 23, 2010 sa ika-7 buwang komemorasyon ng Ampatuan Massacre sa programang inisponsor ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Ngayon ang ika-14 na anibersaryo ng masaker. Kahit may mga nahatulang nagkasala at ngayo’y nakakulong sa krimen, mayroon pa ring nagtatago at nakakatakas sa hustisya. Samantala, hindi pa rin nakikita ang biktimang si Reynaldo Momay.

Broadcaster killed in Misamis Occidental, 4th under Marcos Jr

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Media groups condemned the killing of another broadcaster, the fourth under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presidency.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)  in a statement said it condemns the brazen killing of Juan Jumalon, also known as DJ Johnny Walker, of 94.7 Calamba Gold FM in Calamba, Misamis Occidental Sunday morning, November 5.

Jumalon, 57, was shot by still unidentified attackers while he was airing his program at about 5:35 AM.

NUJP said the attack is even more condemnable as it happened inside the victim’ own home that also served as the radio station.

The Pampanga Press Club (PPC) also condemned Jumalon’s murder, saying the attack is “dastardly”.

“While this latest violence against media had taken place in Mindanao, we believe that the protection of media practitioners — similar to the expression of solidarity — should know no bounds, thus, must be of primordial concern of everyone. We appeal to authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” PPC said.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) meanwhile called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the immediate activation of a special investigation task group (SITG) to investigate the murder.

Jumalon’s killing was caught on a live stream of his show. It showed the victim being shot twice by the suspect who also grabbed his gold necklace before fleeing the crime scene.

Jumalon was declared dead on arrival (DOA) at the Calamba District Hospital.

The latest media killing is the 199th since 1986 and the fourth under the present administration, the NUJP said.

Earlier, Renato Blanco was killed on September 18,2022 in Mabinay, Negros Occidental; Percival Mabasa was killed in Las Pinas City on October 3, 2022; and Cresenciano Bunduquin was murdered in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro last May 31.

Jumalon’s killing also comes in the same week as the International Day to End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists observed last November 2.

The Global Impunity Index placed the Philippines as the 8th most dangerous country for journalists. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Oriental Mindoro broadcaster is 3rd media killing victim under Marcos Jr. government

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A radio broadcaster was killed in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, on Wednesday, May 31, the third media killing victim under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government.

DWXR 101.7 (Kalahi) FM radio program host Cresenciano Aldovino Bunduquin, 50, was shot in front of his store as he was opening it at around 4:20 AM along C5 Road, Barangay Sta. Isabel, the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Police Office said.

The victim was declared dead in a nearby hospital.

“[T]he suspects arrived on a white Honda XRM 125 motorcycle, with plate numbers DD 22153. The back rider alighted from the motorcycle and suddenly approached the victim, shooting him several times in different parts of his body,” the police’s Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Bunduquin said.

The police said the two perpetrators tried to flee the scene but the victim’s son gave chase and collided with the getaway vehicle, causing the driver to be thrown down and sustain head injuries.

The suspect, identified by the police as Narciso Ignacio Guntan, also died on the spot while the gunman was able to flee.

“[From] Follow-up operations and leads from the pieces of evidence gathered at the crime scene, members of the SITG have already identified a person of interest,” SITG commander and Oriental Mindoro police director PCol. Samuel Delorino said.

“We guarantee to bring swift justice to the victim and his family,” Delorino added.

Cresenciano Aldovino Bunduquin; Third media killing victim under the Marcos Jr. government. (Photo from the victim’s MUX Online Radio Facebook page)

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Bunduquin co-hosted Kalahi FM’s “Ayos Mandin” show. The victim also owns Mux Online Radio Facebook page were he shares videos of his “Balita at Talakayan” show that he co-hosts with fellow broadcaster Sandy Soriano.

Kodao sources said Bunduquin was a “lively” radio commentator, especially on local issues such as the environment and government corruption.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security called Bunduquin’s killing a “dastardly act” and announced it is offering a reward of P50,000 for any information leading to the suspect’s immediate arrest.

Bunduquin is the third broadcaster killed under the Marcos Jr. government, following the murder of Rey Blanco of Negros Oriental last September 18 and Percy Lapid last October 3 in Las Pinas City. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Gunmen kill broadcaster; murder earns swift condemnation

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Gunmen killed a broadcaster in Las Pinas City on Monday, the second media worker killed under the three month-old Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presidency.

Percival Mabasa, known in the broadcast industry as Percy Lapid, was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital after two gunmen aboard a motorcycle fired at least two gunshots at the victim.

Described as a hard-hitting broadcaster, he was a critic of several Marcos and Rodrigo Duterte government officials.

Mabasa’s family said they are deeply saddened and angered by what they described as a “brutal and brazen killing of fearless broadcaster, father and husband, brother and friend.”

“We strongly condemn this deplorable crime; it was committed not only against Percy, his family, and his profession, but against our country, his beloved Philippines, and the truth,” the family said.

They added that the victim was highly respected by his listeners as well as peers and foes alike.

“His bold and sharp commentaries cut through the barrage of fake news over the air waves and on social media,” they added.

Mabasa was host of Lapid Fire radio show that aired on DWBL. Previously, he was a broadcaster with radio station DWIZ.

On his YouTube channel, Mabasa commented on the dangers of red-tagging, including that of the recent harassment of Manila Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar who ruled against the government’s proscription of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations.

Mabasa also recently commented on the security risks of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and on historical distortion of Martial Law.

The victim is the second journalist to be killed under Marcos Jr. administration.

Radio broadcaster Rey Blanco was stabbed to death in Mabinay, Negros Oriental last September 18.

Immediate condemnation

Media and human rights organization also condemned the killing and joined Mabasa’s family in calling for justice.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Mabasa’s murder shows that journalism remains a dangerous profession in the country.

“That the incident took place in Metro Manila indicates how brazen the perpetrators were, and how authorities have failed to protect journalists as well as ordinary citizens from harm,” the NUJP in a statement Tuesday said.

The Pinoy Media Center condemned Mabasa’s murder and called it another politically-motivated case of extrajudicial killing “to silence truth seekers and media practitioners.

The People’s Alternative Media Network also condemned the murder it said is part of a landscape of violence and intimidation against journalists and citizens.

The National Press Club and the organization of justice beat reporters also issued statements calling for justice for Mabasa.

Human rights group Karapatan joined in the calls for an independent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Karapatan also said it will join the condemnation rally organized by the NUJP at the Boy Scouts monument in Quezon City at six o’clock tonight. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Ampatuan Massacre promulgation of verdict will be broadcast live–SC

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The promulgation of judgement on the Ampatuan Massacre trial shall be broadcast live on December 19, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled Tuesday, December 10.

The High Court shall allow two People’s Television (PTV) cameras inside the courtroom which other media outfits could hook into, SC assistant court administrator and public information office chief Brian Keith Hosaka said.

Citing space limitations, the Court also decided it would only allow a limited number of reporters inside the court who would not be allowed to bring their own cameras, smart phones and other video and audio recording equipment inside.

The SC Public Information Office shall prepare a list of “accredited media” to be allowed inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology compound in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The High Tribunal decided on the petition for live coverage filed last week by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

“The live coverage/streaming of the promulgation would allow the families and relatives of the 58 victims who may not be able to attend the promulgation in Metro Manila to hear live the reading of the court’s decision on the killing of their relatives,” the media groups wrote Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.

Government communication and media offices also asked to be allowed to cover the event.

Before the groups’ petition, the Court, through Hosaka, wrote to PTV requesting for airtime and technical support, including cameras and video footage that would be provided to other media groups, for the live coverage of the verdict set on December 19. 

“Because of the paramount public interest involved in this case, the Supreme Court, which is overseeing the matter, would like to have live television coverage of the proceedings,” SC Assistant Court Administrator and Public Information Office chief Hosaka told PTV. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Broadcaster shot dead in Dumaguete

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Another broadcaster was shot dead in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental early Thursday morning, Nov. 7, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) reported.

Dindo Generoso was driving his car when he was shot dead by a lone gunman along Hibbard Avenue in Barangay Piapi around 7:30 a.m., the NUJP said citing a spot police report.

“Colleagues said he was on his way to host his program on radio station dyEM 96.7 Bai Radio,” the NUJP Visayas safety office said in its report.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) said Generoso sustained eight gunshot wounds at different parts of his body that caused instant death.

PTFOMS added there may be more than one killer as “still unidentified perpetrators riding-in-tandem on a black motorcycle” were reportedly seen.

“This dastardly deed will not go unpunished. Whoever is behind this senseless murder will be brought to justice,” PTFOMS executive director Joel Sy Egco said in a statement.

Generoso was the second broadcaster murdered in Dumaguete City since Edmund Sestoso, who died on May 1, 2018, a day after he was shot on his way home from hosting his radio program.

The identity of Generoso’s killer and the motive for his murder was not yet clear, the NUJP said.

“If the murder is work-related, Generoso would be the 14th journalist to be murdered under the Duterte administration and the 187th since 1986,” the group added.

PTFOMS said Generoso was an anchor for development programs of the local government, including a controversial reclamation project that was halted by the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) last week.

Generoso’s murder came 10 days after the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) released its 2019 report last October 29 revealing that the Philippines has the highest number of unsolved journalist murders in the world.

The CPJ’s 2019 Global Impunity Index, which “spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free,” also placed the country, the only one from Southeast Asia on its list, at fifth place while noting that it “has been among the worst five countries nearly every year since the index was first published in 2008.” # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

DOJ dismisses complaint vs Catanduanes gov over 1st media killing under Duterte

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By Lottie Salarda

“We were not surprised anymore,” Catanduanes journalist Marlon Suplig said after learning that the Department of Justice in Manila dismissed the murder complaint against Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua and others over the murder of Catanduanes Now Publisher Larry Que in 2016.

What surprised them was the failure of the DOJ to notify them almost a year after its resolution, Suplig said.

Contrary to the Rules on Criminal Procedure requiring only probable cause for a case to be filed, Assistant State Prosecutor Alejandro Daguiso in a resolution dated October 30, 2017, said there is insufficiency of evidence presented by the complainants and it will be unfair to hold the respondents for trial.

Que was killed after writing a column alleging the negligence of the local officials over the discovery of a major shabu laboratory in the province.

He was the first vitim of media killing under the Rodrigo Duterte government.

The victim was shot by a motorcycle men-riding in tandem at around 9:30 in the morning near his workplace in Virac, Catanduanes.

On May 2, 2017, Edralyn Pangilinan, Que’s common-law wife filed a murder case against Cua, police officer Vincent Tacorda, Cua’s right-hand Prince Lim Subion and other “John Does”.

Gov. Cua (right, in gray shirt) announces his candidacy for governorship in the 2019 local elections. (Photo by Radyo Natin-Virac, used with permission)

After his arrest last year, Tacorda admitted he was instructed to kill Que under the guise of “Operation Tokhang” by Cua through his right-hand man Subion.

Que received death threats from Lim Subion prior to the incident.

According to Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Joel Egco, Tacorda faced a robbery and extortion charges because he allegedly asked the family for 10 million pesos in exchange for evidence of Que’s death.

The extortion case filed against Tacorda was likewise dismissed. He denied all his extrajudicial confessions in his affidavit.

The complainants said they did not receive a copy of the resolution.

Suplig said they did not know that their complaint was already dismissed almost a year ago as they were not given copies.

It was Cua’s camp who announced the dismissal nearly two months before the filing of certificates of candidacies for the 2019 local and national polls.

The incumbent governor is planning to run for the same post next year. #

Broadcaster killed in Albay; 12th under Duterte gov’t

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A broadcaster in the Bicol Region was killed early Friday morning on his way to the radio station, the 12th victim of media killing under the two-year old Rodrigo Duterte government.

Joey Llana, 38, a block-timer of radio station dwZR in Legazpi City, Albay was driving  when fired upon by unidentified gunmen at Brgy. Penafrancia, Daraga town at around 4:45 am in the morning.

Llana hosted the radio program “Metro Banat”, which aired from 5:30 to 7 a.m.

Reports said Llana was shot 14 times with .45 caliber and 9mm pistols.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said 14 emptied bullet casings were recovered on the scene by police authorities.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive for Llana’s murder although a sibling of the victim said he had received death threats days before the killing, NUJP said.

Llana’s death is the third media killing in the region, making it currently the most dangerous area for journalists, along with Caraga, which also has three broadcasters killed in the past two years.

Chief Inspector Eder Collantes of the Legazpi City Philippine National Police has confirmed the incident to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, saying they are coordinating with the Police Regional Office 5 to expedite the investigation. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Groups denounce yet another media killing, 11th under Duterte

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Media groups denounced the murder of yet another journalist Thursday afternoon, the 11th victim of media killing under Rodrigo Duterte’s government.

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

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

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 shot.

He was killed on the spot.

The NUJP said that while there is 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 death is a clear assault to 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 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 (PTFOMS) for its part said its secretariat has already directed the Philippine National Police Task Force Usig to conduct a “deep investigation” on 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, PTFOMS 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 ‘work related,’” PTFOMS executive director Joel Egco said.

“We will leave no stone unturned to serve the ends of justice. Make no mistake about it,” Egco said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)