MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said its regional office in Northern Mindanao had already started investigating the killing of a radio broadcaster in Lanao del Norte.
CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement that police reports showed that Audrey Gaid Estrada, a radio news broadcaster of the community radio, 101.3 Grace Covenant FM, was found inside her home with multiple stab wounds last March 17.
The local government of Bacolod had since then offered a reward for any individual who can provide information on Estrada’s killing.
“CHR notes the effort of the local government of Bacolod to resolve the case through a reward offer for those who could provide information,” said De Guia.
“We look forward to further actions from the Bacolod Municipal Police Station, the Philippine National Police and its Media Security Vanguard, and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security towards the resolution of this case,” she added.
De Guia then stressed the importance of ensuring urgent justice to address and mitigate further violence and impunity.
“CHR’s call remains #StopTheKillings,” said De Guia.
This killing came after more than 20 journalists and media workers have already been slain since the Duterte administration began in 2016.
In fact, data from the annual Impunity Index issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) showed that the Philippines is among the world’s deadliest places for journalists, with 13 murders still unsolved.
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