IFJ Demands Investigation into Murder of Philippines Broadca

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of Philippines (NUJP) in calling for an immediate investigation into the murder of broadcaster Niel “Lito” Jimena in Negros Occidental province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines on August 23.

Jimena was shot five times by unknown assailants. Sources cited in local media reports suggested his murder is not related to his work as a broadcaster. Police are yet to establish a motive.

The online news portal Interaksyon.com quoted Supt. Louis Garonga, deputy chief for operations of the Western Visayas police, as saying Jimena was shot at his home in Hacienda Theresa, E.B. Magalona town.

Conflicting reports claim he was shot by two men while riding his motorcycle in Hacienda San Jose. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.

“Police must investigate Jimena’s murder with great urgency, and see that his killers are brought to justice regardless of the motivation for the shooting,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

Husgador, the program co-hosted by Jimena on Radio Mindanao Network-Iloilo dyRI, is a block-time program, or a paid time slot whose hosts are usually employed by the buyer or producer of the time slot.

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

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