Dumaguete bishop condemns killing radio anchor

A Catholic bishop condemned the “culture of impunity” in the central island of Negros following another murder of a radio broadcaster.

Rex Cornelio Pepino was riding home from work on his motorcycle with his wife on May 5 when he was shot and killed, becoming the third media worker slain in Dumaguete city in two years.

His murder follows the still unsolved killings of radio broadcasters Dindo Generoso in November 2019 and Edmund Sestoso in April 2018.

Initial investigations revealed that Pepino was shot dead by two unidentified men on a motorcycle. His wife, Colen, was unharmed.

Bishop Julito Cortes of Dumaguete urged the authorities “to exert all efforts to stop criminality as well as solve crimes with dispatch”.

The prelate also called the authorities’ attention to the unsolved murders of Dr. Avelex Amor in 2018 and Michael Dungog in March 2019.

“We request thatofficials tasked to ensure peace and order in our communities give special attention to the said cases for the peace of mind of many citizens,” he added.

At least 16 journalists have been killed in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016 and 188 since 1986, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said.