MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said it would investigate the “brazen killing” of a Davao-based journalist on Saturday, and urged the government anew to act swiftly in resolving the unsolved killings of journalists in the country.
In a statement, Jacqueline de Guia, spokesperson for the CHR, said the commission had already sent a quick response team to probe the death of Orlando “Dondon” Dinoy, a local reporter for Newsline Philippines and blocktime host for radio station Energy FM.
Dinoy was shot multiple times by unidentified gunmen inside his rented apartment at Bansalan town around 6 p.m. While the police have yet to establish a motive for the killing, De Guia said the commission “will be looking closely into his line of work and previous contacts.”
Dinoy’s death comes days before the world commemorates International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Recently, global media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists also released its annual impunity index showing that the Philippines remains the seventh most dangerous country in the world for journalists.
“Killings perpetrated against the media fosters a chilling effect and helps breed a climate of impunity,” De Guia said. “A silenced media hampers the free flow of information and deprives the Filipino citizenry of much-needed information critical for discernment in national affairs.”
De Guia said the commission had also investigated other media killings, including the death of Cebu commentator Renante “Rey” Cortes.
“We are hopeful that with the quick assembly of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, those responsible for this crime will be held to account,” De Guia added.