CHR to probe ex-radioman slay in Tacurong City

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday said it would investigate the murder of a former radio commentator in Sultan Kudarat, who was shot dead by still-unidentified gunmen in Tacurong City on Wednesday morning.

The victim, Jaynard Angeles, former station manager of Radyo ni Juan who hosted the “Tinig ng Bayan” program, had resigned from the radio station to run as councilor of Lambayong town in Sultan Kudarat, according to Allan Freno, Tacurong information officer.

“He was a hard-hitting radio commentator, and his criticisms did not spare politicians,” Freno said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

It was unclear whether the attack on Angeles was work- or election-related.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia noted that Angeles was slain just days after the start of the official election period on Jan. 9.

“Election-related violence and the killing of journalists create a chilling effect on Philippine society and prevent the peaceful discourse of ideas in the runup toward elections,” De Guia said in a statement. “CHR is appalled with this incident and stands with the media community in denouncing this killing.” —REPORTS FROM KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING AND BONG S. SARMIENTO