By Chito Chavez
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday strongly urged the government to exhaust all means to arrest the perpetrators in the killing of radio anchor Eduardo Dizon of the 97.5 Brigada News FM-Kidapawan.
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
Dizon was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding gunmen while driving home on Wednesday along Maharlika Highway in Kidapawan City.
The CHR called on government authorities to “act on this case’’ and ensure that steps will be taken to ensure the safety of “our country’s journalists and media professionals’’.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said “a media that can operate without fear of violence and suppression is a sign of a healthy, functioning democracy’’.
She expressed alarm over the continuous rise of media killings and harassment that needs to be addressed immediately before more lives are lost.
“Freedom of the press—which includes freedom to do their work without fearing for their lives—is essentially in the expression of a people’s human rights,’’ de Guia said.
The CHR Regional Office of Region 12 has sent a team to investigate the incident, and will coordinate with local authorities to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
De Guia said the commission has also extended its deepest condolences to Dizon’s family and friends, and hopes that in the end justice will prevail.
Police authorities assured that everything was being done to bring justice to the fallen broadcaster as an extensive probe was already being conducted.
The radio anchor was on his way home from his nightly broadcast duties when he was shot dead inside his car by the gunmen, who were onboard a motorcycle.
Dizon, a former councilor of the municipality of Makilala, sustained five gunshot wounds.
The Kidapawan City police said Dizon went to the police station last week to report threats to his life.
If the broadcaster’s killing is determined to be connected to his work, Dizon will be the 13th journalist killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the 186th since 1986.
READ MORE: Kidapawan radio anchor slain in gun attack