Cebu media group condemns shooting of radio blocktimer

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Association of Media Practitioners, Inc. has condemned the shooting incident involving their president, blocktimer-radio commentator Apolinario “Jun” Arigo.

In a statement, CAMP said that the attempt on Arigo's life is a recurring affront to Press Freedom.

Cebu media celebrates the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Broadcasters Month on September of every year while the third or the fourth week of the said month is celebrated as Press Freedom Week. 

The CAMP believe that the shooting incident was indeed a dastardly act to silence the media as Arigo is known for his hard-hitting radio commentaries.

“Under this adverse circumstance, some of us in the media may break record and others may break down,” it said.

CAMP members feel they are facing another adverse circumstance when their president himself is another victim of “media annihilation.”

“We, like a gem that cannot be polished without friction, nor can a finest steel be made without putting it through fire, will make this adverse event to break records, not to be intimidated at all, instead continue without fear and favor our radio commentaries and newspaper columns,” the statement read.

As they vowed to go on with their being broadcasters and media men with even greater resolve, they also assure of being courteous and polite without being subservient.

CAMP urged all media practitioners to be united in their cause and continue the fight in exposing crooks in society, government and all other sectors.

“We, as vanguards for change, also vow to fight even if only one of us will be the last person standing in order to preserve press freedom in this country,” they added.

The police believe that last Thursday's shooting incident involving Arigo could be job-related.

Arigo, a blocktimer-commentator of dyDD Bantay Radyo, is currently recuperating at the hospital for a gunshot wound in the left side of his buttocks.

At past 4 p.m. last Thursday, the 48-year-old media man got out of a shopping mall and was about to get into his car at the mall's parking area when a man approached him from behind and shot him once. —(FREEMAN)