De Lima on slain Albay broadcaster: ‘Another victim of impunity’

Murdered Albay radio broadcaster Joey Llana is “another victim of the dark cloud of impunity” in the country, detained Senator Leila de Lima said in statement.

Llana was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Daraga town in Albay as he was about to leave home for his morning radio program.

“Llana, the hard-hitting broadcast journalist killed in Bicol yesterday, is yet another victim of the dark cloud of impunity enveloping our land,” De Lima said in a statement.

READ: Radio broadcaster gunned down in Albay

De Lima also criticized Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s condemnation of the killing, which she said “sounds hypocritical.”

“It sounded hollow when the Palace mouthpiece talked about getting justice for Llana’s killing while the police seemed to be not lifting a finger to investigate thousands of drug-related killings,” she said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde has ordered the local police to prioritize the investigation of Llana’s murder.

READ: Albayalde to Bicol police: Prioritize probe on slay of broadcaster

De Lima earlier filed Senate Bill 1860 which requires media companies to provide insurance benefits for journalists covering conflict or disaster areas.

If proven to be related to his job, Llana’s death would be the 12^th case of media killing under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.  /muf