Radio announcer shot dead in Negros Oriental

MANILA, Philippines — Radio announcer Gabriel Alburo was killed by two men on a motorcycle on Friday early morning as he was on his way home to Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

The National Union of  Journalists of the Philippines said Alburo— also known as “Kumander Aguila”—was a radio personality for station 94.5 dyJL FM and was gunning for a City Council seat.

Police are still investigating the motive behind the killing of the 50-year-old radio announcer, who was shot dead around 3:05 am Friday, according to a News 5 report.

Last April 30, Edmund Sentoso, also a radio broadcaster was killed in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

READ: Negros broadcaster dies a day after shooting

In a report published in early December, the International Federation of Journalists said the Philippines was the worst in impunity in Southeast Asia.

READ: Philippines among worst places in Southeast Asia for journalists — IFJ

Another international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) recorded three journalist deaths in the Philippines this year, compared to four in 2017.

However, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism recorded four journalist deaths in 2018.

The IFJ called the Philippines the “deadliest peacetime country for journalists,” with a total of 185 killed since the People Power Revolution in 1986. — Ryan Macasero