Philippines Broadcaster Killed

Media Release: Philippines
April 11, 2012

Philippines Broadcaster Killed

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in condemning the shooting of a radio broadcaster in Davao City, Philippines on Sunday April 8.
Aldion Layao, 34, was a broadcaster for Bombo Radio, and had previously worked for Radio GMA before resigning to enter politics. He had also worked for several other radio stations and was also reportedly the host of a politically-funded television program before becoming Lacson Village Chief.

Reports received by the IFJ note that Layao and another man were on their way home at around 9:30 pm on the night of Sunday April 8, when two unidentified men riding a motorcycle drove beside their car and fired shots at them.

Layao was inside the vehicle when he was fatally shot by the two armed men. The assailants reportedly fired three shots at Layao, who sustained two gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the Robillo Medical Clinic.
The motive for the murder remains unclear, but some local reports suggest that there were tensions between Layao and village council members and that the shooting may have been more closely related to politics than his journalistic activities. Layao was reportedly planning to run in next year’s election.
Davao City Police Director Senior Superintendant Dela Rosa said in an interview that police are looking into possible political motivations for the killing. Dela Rosa added however, that they are not discounting other motives for the attack.

Regional Police Director Chief Superintendant Jaime Morente has ordered that a task force be formed to investigate Layao’s killing and to identify the gunmen.

““The IFJ is deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence against journalists in the Philippines in 2012,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“It is essential that the Philippines’ journalists are able to continue reporting safely on matters of great concern to the public. Philippines’ authorities must therefore follow through on their promise to fully investigate the murder of Aldion Layao, to send a clear message that attacks on journalists will not be tolerated.”

Shootings by unidentified assailants on motorbikes have become a common method of attacking journalists and other media personnel in the Philippines.
On March 3, radio broadcaster Fernando “Kapid” Gabio, was shot by two unidentified men on a motorcycle in front of his house in Barangay in Iloilo City in the Southern Philippines.

On January 5, publisher Christopher Guarin was murdered in General Santos City in the southern Philippines.

Over 150 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986, making it one of the most dangerous countries for media workers.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

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