MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Cebu on Thursday condemned the shooting of a journalist inside a public utility vehicle in Cebu City, as it warned that the incident sets a precedent for what awaits other journalists during the 2022 elections.
According to authorities, Rico Osmeña was aboard a modernized public utility jeepney when a lone gunman boarded the vehicle and shot him. Osmeña, together with another victim, survived but police have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting.
“Osmeña’s shooting happened proximate to the upcoming election period – a period in our country perennially marred by violence and extrajudicial attempts to stifle media,” said NUJP in a statement.
“Whether or not work-related, this attack sets a chilling precedent to what awaits the free press on what are usually the most dangerous months for truth-tellers in the country,” it added.
The NUJP also noted that this incident happened just a week after another journalist, Jess Malabanan, was shot dead in Samar.
Furthermore, another radio commentator, Rey Cortes, was killed in front of his radio station in Cebu City last July.
“The reports of attacks on our colleagues in the Visayas are a result of the culture of impunity that prevails in our country,” said NUJP.
“It is a culture that affirms the killings are a valid way to forward an agenda,” it added.
Osmeña was a radio blocktimer, as well as a correspondent of the Daily Tribune.
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