PNP pressed on radio man's slay in Davao

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines  – A group of broadcast outfits calling itself as Tingog (Voice) Radio Alliance (TIMRA) appealed yesterday to Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome to focus attention on resolving last Tuesday’s killing of a broadcaster in Davao Oriental.

The killing of Nestor Libaton, of Catholic radio station dxHM in Mati City, capital of Davao Oriental, may not be related to his work, as initially theorized by the police, but TIMRA said it is widely perceived as another affront to the media.

Oblate priest Ignacio Rellin, chief executive officer of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp., a member of TIMRA, said they sympathize with and want speedy justice for Libaton’s family, adding that he did not deserve such a gruesome death. 

Libaton was on his way to dxHM at the city proper of Mati onboard a motorcycle when one of two men trailing him aboard another motorcycle shot him repeatedly with a .45-caliber pistol, killing him on the spot.

TIMRA, in a statement, also appealed to witnesses to come out and help police identify the perpetrators.