(CMFR/IFEX) – On 13 August 2004, at around 5:15 a.m. (local time), Edward Balida, a commentator for radio station IFM-DXVR in Valencia City, Bukidnon (about 850 km from Manila), survived an apparent assassination attempt. Balida was wounded in the attack at the city’s public market. In an interview with CMFR, Balida said he had gone […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 13 August 2004, at around 5:15 a.m. (local time), Edward Balida, a commentator for radio station IFM-DXVR in Valencia City, Bukidnon (about 850 km from Manila), survived an apparent assassination attempt. Balida was wounded in the attack at the city’s public market.
In an interview with CMFR, Balida said he had gone to the market to have coffee before going to his radio station when the incident occurred. He said he was parking his motorcycle when he heard a gunshot.
“I looked around to find out where the shot came from, but I did not see anybody because it was still dark,” Balida said.
Balida added that it did not occur to him at first that he was the person targeted, until he saw blood on his left hand. He then asked for help and was fortunate to see a friend who took him to the hospital. Balida said he is still waiting for the doctor’s decision on whether his left middle finger will have to be amputated.
Balida told CMFR that he believes that the attack was connected to his job.
“I am certain that it is [connected with my work as a commentator],” he said. “Most probably, it is connected with drugs because it has been a constant topic in my programme.”
Balida hosts the commentary programme “Kuskos Batikos”, which airs from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. The programme started airing in June, after his transfer to Bukidnon from Cagayan de Oro.
Balida declined to identify the person or persons who might have been involved in the attack.
In the aftermath of a series of killings of Filipino journalists in the past two weeks, the Philippine police has suggested arming media practitioners so they can protect themselves (see IFEX alert of 9 August 2004). The proposal has been rejected by several media groups, whose leaders said it would only aggravate the current violence. Balida said the idea is “okay,” but that he personally did not believe it to be necessary.
“Fighting is not our purpose,” Balida said.
