(RSF/IFEX) – According to RSF, Reynaldo Bancayrin, anchorman for the DXLL radio station, was murdered on 30 March 1998 in the southern city of Zamboanga. The journalist was presenting his program, “Bale Todo”, when two persons knocked at the door of his booth. He allowed them in and one man shot him at point-blank range […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to RSF, Reynaldo Bancayrin, anchorman for the DXLL
radio station, was murdered on 30 March 1998 in the southern city of
Zamboanga.
The journalist was presenting his program, “Bale Todo”, when two
persons knocked at the door of his booth. He allowed them in and one man shot
him at point-blank range with a 45-caliber gun, while the other held back the
broadcaster’s colleagues. The two murderers escaped from the radio office and
got away on a motorbike. The police said they were “looking into all
angles, including the possibility that this may be the result of his
commentaries against corruption in some government agencies.”
Reynaldo Bancayrin was one of the most popular radio commentators in the
region and he was conducting a crusade against official corruption, drug
trafficking and illegal loggers. He also was a supporter of former Defense
Secretary Renato de Villa’s opposition party.
Reynaldo Bancayrin is the second journalist killed in the Philippines in
recent months. On 3 June 1997, Danny Hernandez, news editor of the daily
“People’s Journal Tonight”, was shot dead in a taxi. He specialized in
exposing drug syndicates and police corruption (for information on this
case see
IFEX alert of 3 June 1997).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
about
the murder of Reynaldo Bancayrin
identify the persons responsible and bring them to justice
Appeals To
His Excellency Fidel Ramos
President
Malacanang Palace
Manila, Philippines
Fax: +63 2 833 7793 / 832 3793
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
