Broadcaster dies a month after gun attack

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato, Philippines — Media people in Central Mindanao mourned the death of broadcaster Abdul Kadir “Benjie” Caballero, the station manager of Radyo ni Juan, a month after he was shot by an unknown assailant in Tacurong City.

Caballero succumbed to complications due to pneumonia on Sunday, 31 days after he was shot outside his boarding house in Tacurong while waiting for a ride on Oct. 30.

He was buried in a Muslim ceremony at the family grave site at Barangay Inas in M’lang town, Cotabato province, on Sunday.

Caballero, who sustained several wounds on his chest, never left the intensive care unit of the hospital where he was confined.

His sister, Gladys, said Caballero successfully underwent an operation but remained in critical condition.

Benny Queman, station manager of Radyo Bandera in Midsayap town in Cotabato province, described Caballero as a “brave and hard hitting broadcast journalist” who helped set up Radyo ni Juan.

Caballero started as stringer in several media outlets in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao since 2000. His sister said he also became “close to some politicians” because of his work.—WILLIAMOR MAGBANUA