VP NOLI CONDEMNS KILLING, VIOLENCE VS NEWSMEN
August 8, 2008

Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro today condemned the latest killing of another broadcaster, this time from Capiz, and renewed calls for law enforcers to immediately resolve the cases of violent attacks against newsmen.

“The murder of broadcaster Martin Roxas is most deplorable, a highly condemnable cowardly act that has no place in civilized societies like ours,” the Vice President, himself a broadcast journalist, said.

De Castro added: “There has to be a stop to the spate of senseless killings of the helpless messengers.”

Noting that the latest violence against journalists already had its heavy toll on the media profession, the Vice President also asked the police to be more steadfast in going after the attackers of General Santos broadcaster Dennis Cuesta and Quezon newsman Bert Sison who was ambushed in Lucena City last month. One of Sison’s daughters was also killed in the attack.

Like Roxas, Cuesta works with the Radio Mindanao Network. He remains in serious condition in a General Santos City hospital.

“Efforts by law enforcers to bring the perpetrators of the crimes to justice must be doubled. A strong and vibrant media is essential in a working democracy,” the Vice President said.

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