Davao del Norte journalist gunned down
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:38 p.m.) — A community paper publisher from Davao del Norte was shot dead Thursday afternoon by unidentified assailants.
According to National Union of Journalists of the Philippines - Davao, Dennis Denora, a Sun.Star reporter and publisher of the Trends and Times community paper, was killed near the wet market of Panabo City on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement later Thursday, NUJP- Davao said Denora's death "is a clear assault to press freedom, and it amplifies the existing climate of fear among journalists who are working in their local community."
The group said Denora's killing, if found to be related to his work, will make him the 11th journalist killed during the Duterte administration. It will also be the 184th media killing since 1986.
"His death underscores the worsening state of media killings in the country," NUJP - Davao also said, as it called on the government to take concrete actions against attacks on journalists and to bring their attackers to justice.
Denora was an officer and member of the Davao Region Multi-Media Group, one of the press groups in Davao del Norte.
The Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club, a separate group, condemned the killing of Denora, whom it said was “known for his fearless forecasts both in newspaper and radio.”
“We at DNPRC believe it is not justifiable to take one’s life for personal or political reasons. His death awakens the anger and pains of journalists who do their job and yet are being judged by the pistol,” the group said.
Last month, radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso was gunned down by unknown assailants. He died two days before the celebration of World Press Freedom Day.
READ: Philippines down 6 notches on World Press Freedom Index
The Philippines ranked 133rd out of the 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders’ 2018 World Press Freedom, falling six notches from 127th in 2017.
It is also the deadliest country in Asia for journalists.
READ: How the Presidential Task Force on Media Security works
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