Slain Dipolog City broadcaster laid to rest

DIPOLOG CITY — Despite the heavy downpour, an estimated 2,000 media practitioners, mourners and symphatizers joined the burial of slain Dipolog City broadcaster Klein Cantoneros in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte the other day.

In his eulogy, lawyer Paulino Gudmalin, former president of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club, hailed Cantoneros, a hard-hitting commentator of radio station dxAA FM, as a "martyr who stood for the truth."

For his part, Dr. Shariff Adzhar Sarahadil, a Muslim leader, described Cantoneros as a "saaheed (martyr)" for exposing and opposing wrongdoings.

Ordinary folk like drivers and motorcab operators joined the funeral march, holding placards calling for justice for the slain radioman.

Cantoneros was gunned down by three motorcycle-riding men while he was on his way home in Dipolog City.

He became popular for his hard-hitting commentaries in his radio program "Nasod Pag Mata Na" over dxAA FM.

The radio station went off the air as Cantoneros was being buried, as a gesture of support for the call for justice due his killing.

Across Mindanao, journalists said a one-minute silent prayer for their fallen colleague. 

Earlier, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group released an artist’s sketch of one of Cantoneros’ killers, who was described to be about 40 years old, five feet, eight inches tall, slim and sporting long hair.

Upon the request of Cantoneros’ family, Director General Arturo Lomibao, Philippine National Police chief, replaced Superintendent Jeufel Adriatico, police director of Zamboanga del Norte, as head of the group investigating the killing.

Adriatico’s brother-in-law, Gov. Rolando Yebes, had been the target of Cantoneros’ criticisms.

Cantoneros was the fourth journalist slain this year. The list includes Marlene Esperat of Sultan Kudarat, Edgar Amoro of Pagadian City, and Arnulfo Villanueva of Cavite.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has tagged the Philippines as the "most murderous country for journalists."