The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will start its own probe on the killing last July 22 of Renante “Rey” Cortes, a radio commentator of DYRB Radyo Pilipino in Cebu City.
Cortes was shot by riding-in-tandem assailants in front of the radio station in Mambaling, Cebu City right after his program. He was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
"CHR denounces this latest violence perpetrated against the media," CHR Spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.
"We call for a swift and impartial investigation into the incident to bring justice to the victim and accountability for perpetrators involved," De Guia said.
She said the CHR supports the move of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar who had ordered the creation of a special investigation task group to probe the killing.
She stressed that “media killings and harassment in the Philippines should be put to a stop.”
She pointed out that while Cortes' profession might have led to possible personal conflicts, the CHR believes that vigilante killings cannot be a part of the new normal in today's society.
"As a democratic country, the state has the utmost responsibility to protect its citizens against harm and acts of vigilante justice," she stressed.
"We send out our condolences to the bereaved loved ones of Mr. Cortes," she added.