Still unidentified gunmen shot and killed a radio reporter in the central Philippine city of Dumaguete about nine o’clock in the evening of May 5.
The 48-year old Rex Cornelio Pepino, or “Rex Cornelio” on Energy 93.7 FM radio, was on his motorcycle with his wife when he was shot by the gunmen on another motorcycle.
The killing of Cornelio happened two days after World Press Freedom Day. He was the third radio journalist to be murdered in Dumaguete City since 2018.
Another radio broadcaster Dindo Generoso was shot dead, also by riding-in-tandem gunmen, in November 2019, while Edmund Sestoso was shot dead in April 2018.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Cornelio was the 16th journalist killed since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016, and the 188th since 1986.
Florence Baesa, manager of Energy 93.7 FM, said Pepino came from the station for his late night public service and commentary program when he was shot.
The Dumaguete City Press Club condemned the killing and called on authorities to immediately resolve the case and arrest the perpetrators.
Martin Andanar, head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office told LiCAS.news, that he has ordered an investigation into the case through the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
