Cris Bunduquin (Photo from his Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are hot on the trail of a suspected gunman in the killing last week of Cresenciano “Cris” Bunduquin in Calapan City, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said, as an international media watchdog urged local prosecutors to “do whatever it takes” to bring to justice those behind the radio commentator’s murder.
In a statement on Saturday, PTFoMS chief Paul Gutierrez said Oriental Mindoro police had already identified the second of two suspects, believed to be from the town of Bansud, but his name was withheld from the public.
Bunduquin, who turned 50 on May 5, was opening his store on C5 Road in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, on May 31 when a man alighted from a motorcycle, approached him and shot him at least twice in the chest, police said.
The first suspect, Narciso Ignacio Guntan, who was driving the motorcycle used in the attack, was killed when the victim’s son rammed the two men with his vehicle as they fled. The gunman escaped.
The broadcaster, known for his hard-hitting commentary programs on radio station dwXR 101.7 Kalahi FM and on online radio MUX, died on the way to the hospital.
The second suspect is believed to be still in Oriental Mindoro, according to Gutierrez, adding that he was “confident that the gunman, already identified, would very soon be apprehended.”
“The clear message we want to send is that the government gives serious attention to the life, security and liberty of all members of the press,” he added.
‘Reprisal’
In a statement, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was apparent that Bunduquin was killed in retaliation for his media work.
“Everything indicates that Cris Bunduquin was murdered in reprisal for his journalistic comments,” RSF Asia-Pacific head Daniel Bastard said.
“This shocking killing must not go unpunished, and we call on the Oriental Mindoro provincial prosecutor’s office to do everything possible to identify the perpetrators and, above all, the instigators and bring them before a judge,” he said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists’ Global Impunity Index 2022 ranked the Philippines as the seventh most dangerous country in the world for journalists.
‘Airtight case’
Bunduquin’s death is the first test for the task force, which was established during Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and reactivated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to show the government’s seriousness in addressing media killings in the country.
Gutierrez said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has instructed local police to ensure an “airtight case” backed by “solid evidence” against the killers.
“What our justice secretary wants to happen in this instance is that all possible motives and angles should be investigated and that, based on solid evidence, all those involved in the attack on Bunduquin should be identified and prosecuted,” Gutierrez said.