NUJP decries impunity over radioman’s death

THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (Nujp) on Monday condemned the killing of radio broadcaster Jose Bernardo last Saturday night in Quezon City.

The union said that the death of Bernardo underscored the prevailing state of impunity that makes the Philippines dangerous for journalists.

According to Nujp, Bernardo was the 30th journalist to die under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

“The brazen manner in which Bernardo, the 30th journalist slain during the watch of President Benigno Aquino III, was gunned down outside a restaurant in Quezon City, underscores the impunity with which media killings and other extrajudicial murders continue to be committed because of government apathy towards human rights and its primary duty, to protect the lives of its citizens,” its statement read.

The union slammed Aquino for allegedly emboldening people to kill journalists.

“Under this administration, a large part of the blame should fall on Aquino, who has displayed a penchant for blaming practically everything wrong with his governance, or lack thereof, on the media, which can only embolden those who would impose the ultimate censorship – death – coupled with an utterly uncaring attitude towards the murders of journalists and human rights violations in general,” it added.

The group hailed Filipino journalists who persevere despite being faced by economic challenges and threat to their lives.

In the end, it urged the government to swiftly act on Bernardo’s death.

“We demand that authorities swiftly get to the bottom of his killing and arrest all those responsible, including the masterminds,” the statement said.

Bernardo was about to park his motorcycle outside the establishment on Zabarte Road, Barangay Kaligayahan when he was shot point blank by a still unidentified assailant.

Investigation behind the motive on the attack is still ongoing.