Feb 162015
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Tuesday condemned the murder of Maurito Lim, a local radio broadcaster in Tagbilaran, Bohol, as he reiterated his call for the Senate to probe the spate of media killings.
In a press statement, Pimentel also called on the Philippine National Police to exert extra effort in arresting the killers of media practitioners “because we cannot allow impunity to reign especially at the expense of press freedom.”
“The savage media attack again blotted the country’s image being among the five most dangerous places for journalists in the world,” he said.
Lim was shot dead on Saturday morning in Tagbilaran City by a motorcycle-riding assailant.
Tagbilaran City police head Chief Inspector George Vale told radio dzBB Lim was about to report for work at the radio station when he was shot.
Pimentel also expressed dismay at the slow resolution of work-related killings and the failure of authorities to arrest the suspects and their accomplice.
Lim, who was critical of local officials linked to illegal drug trade, was the second journalist killed in Tagbilaran. He was the 172nd journalist killed since 1986, and the 31st under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration.
A P150,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer of Lim. —Amita O. Legaspi/KG, GMA News
