Bicol bishop on broadcaster’s slay: Voice of truth will never be stifled

LEGAZPI CITY — Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi has condemned the murder of broadcaster Joey Llana in a press statement released Sunday, saying that he believes “the voice of truth will never be stifled.”

“I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of Joey Llana, even as we condemn his murder,” Baylon said. Baylon is also chairman of the Diocesan Multi-Media Services Inc. (DMMSI).

“Together, with all peace-loving Albayanos, I pray that this crime will be solved the soonest, the perpetrators be brought to justice and that peace will reign in our land,” the Albay prelate said.

Llana was killed by gunmen while leaving his home in Daraga town in Albay province to go to work in his radio station dwZR in Legazpi City on Friday.

READ: Radio broadcaster gunned down in Albay

Baylon, who is a staunch advocate for peace, has launched a prayer campaign dubbed “Stop the Killing-Start the Healing” last November. The prayer rally aims to raise consciousness among the public on the spate of killings in the country brought on by the government’s war on drugs.

The campaign also included the nightly ringing of bells in all churches in Albay to awaken and urge parishioners to unite against extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the government’s war against illegal drugs. /ee

READ: Palace condemns killing of Bicol broadcaster