MANILA, August 24, 2011?The media rights’ watchdog, Burgos Media Center (BMC) assailed the killing of Hiligaynon broadcaster Niel Jimena, of dyRP (Iloilo) and dyAG (Negros Occidental), the ninth casualty among mediamen under the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III.
According to news reports, Jimena was chased by unidentified motorcycle-riding assassins, and felled at Barangay Damgo, EB Magalona, in Bacolod City, last Monday, August 22.
Mark Joseph Alejo, BMC spokesperson, in a statement said Aquino should be alarmed on the spate of killings and must act swiftly to be able the resolve the cases.
“President Aquino must do something in the soonest possible time to serve justice to the victims of media killing within his term and even those that were still unsettled, including the Maguindanao Massacre. We want to see sincerity from P-Noy [on serving justice to the murdered journalists] and not just mere lip service,” Alejo said.
Other journalists who have been killed under the Aquino administration are Jose Daguio, Miguel Belen, Edilberto Cruz, Edison Flameniana Sr., Dr. Gerry Ortega, Cirilio Gallardo, Marlina Sumera and Romeo Olea.
“We want to see culprits and masterminds of these killings be put behind bars and for heads to roll in order for the Aquino government to end the culture of impunity in the country,” he said. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews)