Philippines. Two radio broadcasters were shot in separate incidents in cities of Tagum and Iloilo between Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. One of them died on the spot, making him the third journalist murdered in a span of two weeks.
Minutes after his final broadcast, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Rogelio “Tata” Butalid, 46, blocktime commentator at Radyo Natin Tagum, right outside the station’s studios at Sobrecary St. in the city.
Investigators said at around 9:00 am, Butalid was about to ride his motorcycle when the assailants fired shots at him. He sustained seven gunshot wounds.
Butalid, also a councilor of Bgy. (village) Mankilam, has been working for community radio since his college days. Before the killing, his commentaries have reportedly focused on electric power issues in Davao del Norte province.
On Dec. 10, unidentified assailants shot and wounded radio reporter Jhonavin Villalba, 43, of DYOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.
Villalba was opening the gate of his home in Bgy. Cuartero when two men aboard a motorcycle fired shots at him, according to the Iloilo chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
Butalid and Villalba were the third and fourth journalists attacked in shooting incidents in just two weeks. Three of these four, including Villalba, died.