Masbate journalist shot dead by soldiers in ‘encounter’

MANILA, Philippines — A freelance journalist based in Masbate province was gunned down in an alleged “encounter” with soldiers in Milagros town on Saturday, Nov. 14, according to the municipal police station.

Ronnie Villamor, 50, was killed in the incident at around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Matanglad, Milagros.

According to the police, the soldiers received a tip that about five armed men had been spotted in the barangay.

On arriving at the place to verify the information, they found armed men who then “scampered” in different directions.

One of the armed men, said to be Villamor, was reportedly riding a motorcycle.

“Then and there, operating troops ordered him to stop, but the suspect pulled his firearm from his waist and pointed towards them. Sensing imminent danger, the troops fired upon the suspect which resulted in his untimely death,” the police report said.

Villamor was taken to the St. Lawrence Funeral Homes for post mortem examination.

According to the police, investigators found on the scene a .45-caliber pistol with a magazine loaded with six rounds of ammunition; a magazine loaded with seven rounds of ammunition; a holster, a brown sling bag; one black watch; and a cellphone.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said on Tuesday that Villamor had gone to the area to “provide media coverage.”

“A local journalist told NUJP that parties in land disputes often request media coverage for activities such as surveys, apparently believing journalists’ presence will prevent violence,” the NUJP said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Villamor’s colleagues said the victim and his companions even ‘coordinated with the local police and inform(ed) them of their purpose in going to Matanglad,’” it added.

The survey supposedly did not push through because Villamor and his colleagues were blocked by a group of soldiers.

Villamor is the fourth journalist killed in Masbate after Joaquin Briones in March 2017, Antonio Castillo in June 2009, and Nelson Nedura in December 2003, the NUJP said.

He was the 19th journalist slain during the Duterte administration and the 191st since 1986.

He was also the second killed this month, only four days after NUJP member Virgilio Maganes, who had survived an attempt on his life in 2016, was shot dead outside his home in Villasis town, Pangasinan.

[atm]