P.6-million reward up in radioman's slay

MANILA, Philippines - The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) and the Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima) yesterday pledged an additional P100,000 for anyone who could lead authorities to the killers of radioman Niel Jimena.

This brought the total reward to P600,000 after the Iloilo Press Club initially raised P500,000 to find the gunmen and the mastermind behind the broadcaster’s killing, the ninth since President Aquino took office.

“Time and again we have been pressing the government to take a tougher stance against the killings of mediamen. The President must walk the talk. He talks fast and tough, indeed. But in reality, the investigations into these killings remain at a snail’s pace,” NPC president Jerry Yap said.

Jimena, 42, who hailed from Iloilo City, was riding his motorcycle in Hacienda San Jose in Barangay Damgo, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Monday when he was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men. – Rudy Santos, Danny Dangcalan