(CMFR/IFEX) – On 29 September 2004, Romeo Binungkal, former editor-in-chief of the local newspaper “Mt. Samat Weekly Forum”, was killed on his way home to Pilar, Bataan in Central Luzon. Binungkal, 43, was the third journalist killed in Bataan province. At the time of his death, he was a correspondent for the Manila-based tabloids “Remate” […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 29 September 2004, Romeo Binungkal, former editor-in-chief of the local newspaper “Mt. Samat Weekly Forum”, was killed on his way home to Pilar, Bataan in Central Luzon. Binungkal, 43, was the third journalist killed in Bataan province. At the time of his death, he was a correspondent for the Manila-based tabloids “Remate” and “Bulgar”.
In a telephone interview, Rafael Viray, former head of the Philippine Information Agency in Bataan, told CMFR that Binungkal was riding his motorcycle when he was shot by unidentified men. The incident occurred on the boundary between Balanga City and Pilar town, at around 4:00 a.m. (local time). Viray explained that Binungkal was shot in the head and other parts of his body with a .45 calibre pistol.
According to Viray, the police have not yet established the motive for the killing. Viray, who knew Binungkal personally, said he was not aware whether the journalist had received threats prior to his death.
Police have not identified any suspects to date.
The other two journalists killed in Bataan were Tim Olivarez, who worked for “Tempo” and “The Luzon Tribune”, and Ruben Manrique, publisher and editor of “The Luzon Tribune”.
Binungkal is the seventh journalist killed in the Philippines this year. Other Filipino journalists killed in 2004 were Rowell Endrinal of radio station DZRC in Legazpi, City, Albay Province, on 11 February (see IFEX alert of 11 February 2004); Ely Binoya of Radyo Natin in South Cotabato, on 17 June (see alerts of 25 and 6 August, 18 and 17 June 2004); Roger Mariano of radio station DZJC in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province, northern Philippines, on 31 July (see alert of 3 August 2004); Arnnel Manalo of radio station DZRH and the Manila-based tabloid “Bulgar” in Bauan Batangas, south of Manila, on 5 August (see alert of 5 August 2004); Jonathan “Jun” Abayon of radio station RGMA in General Santos City, southern Philippines, on 9 August (see alert of 9 August 2004); and Fernando Consignado of Radio Veritas, on 12 August (see alert of 13 August 2004).
CMFR has determined that Abayon’s and Consignado’s deaths were not linked to their professions as journalists and as a result has not included them in its list of journalists killed in the line of duty.
