CNN Philippines demands justice for slain assistant cameraman

THE management of CNN Philippines on Thursday demanded swift justice for their assistant cameraman who was killed by unidentified assailants in Imus City, Cavite province.

In a statement, the management of the news network condemned the death of 29-year-old Jonathan Oldan who was killed while he was on his way to work Thursday morning.

“We deplore the killing of our colleague Jonathan Oldan. He was shot to death on his way to work this morning. We demand that his assailant/assailants be brought to justice. We condole with his family and loved ones in this most tragic and trying times,” the statement of CNN Philippines read.

The news network said that it will do everything to bring Oldan’s killers to justice.

“CNN Philippines condemns this act and will spare no effort to bring the criminal/criminals to justice,” it read.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said that Oldan’s death brings to fore the impunity of killings of journalists in the country.

Zarate slammed the administration of President Benigno Aquino III for allegedly failing to protect the welfare of journalists.

“This is the result of the reigning impunity in our country. Since no punishment is meted against perpetrators, the killings against journalists continue. The Philippines is indeed a very dangerous place for journalists,” Zarate said.

The lawmaker said that media killings “denigrates free speech and democracy” in the Philippines.

The assistant cameraman was shot several times in the head at around 5:15 a.m. on Thursday. He was killed s killed along Bukaneg Street in Barangay (village) Pinagbuklod in the said city.

The assailant/assailants “fled to unknown direction together with the weapon used,” Cavite Police provincial director Senior Superintendent Jonnel Estomo said.

Oldan was reportedly assigned to the Department of Justice and Supreme Court beats.

Oldan’s death followed the killing of Melinda “Mei” Magsino, a former correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer last April. Magsino is the 32nd journalist killed under the Aquino administration and the 173rd journalist murdered since 1986.