Bukidnon radio broadcaster shot dead

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Barely a week after the fourth commemoration of the gruesome Maguindanao massacre that led to the deaths of 32 journalists, a radio commentator was shot dead in the town of Valencia in Bukidnon province on Friday evening.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Joas Dignos, a blocktime commentator at dxGT Radyo Abante based in Maramag town, Bukidnon, was shot and killed by two motorcycle-riding assailants around 9:30 p.m. outside the CAP Building on Sayre Highway.
“The motive for the killing has yet to be established. If work-related, Digos would be the 19th work-related case of media killing under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III,” the NUJP said.

Dignos died on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds, the NUJP reported.

The commentator had received threats in the past.

Last June 2, two unidentified men threw a hand grenade at the station while a recorded commentary of Dignos was being aired.

A utility man was hurt while the station was damaged in the incident.

Since he started receiving death threats, Dignos had not been broadcasting his program live. He had been “taping his program,” said dxGT Program Director Cocoy Medina.

Originally posted: 12:15 am | Saturday, November 30th, 2013