Radio host shot dead in Pangasinan

Virgilio Maganes

VILLASIS, Pangasinan, Philippines – A radio commentator and columnist for a local newspaper was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle here Tuesday morning, four years after he survived the first attempt on his life, police said.

Virgilio “Vir” Maganes, 62, was about to enter the family compound in Barangay San Blas here at 6:45 am when he was shot in the head and body.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the murder.

Maganes was the 18th media worker to be killed during the Duterte administration and the 190th since 1986, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). He worked for the community newspaper Northern Watch as a reporter and columnist for 11 years until the newspaper was published. folded in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.

No reason yet

He also worked as a commentator for block shows on several local radio stations, focusing on political issues.In November 2016, Maganes survived an attack by two armed men while riding a tricycle on his way to work at the Radyo Pilipino (dWPR) station. . in the city of Dagupan.

Although wounded, he pretended to be dead when the gunmen left a cardboard sign that read: “Drug dealer huwag pamarisan (do not emulate).”

“[It was] an obvious attempt to smear him and mask his true motives. [That] The incident remained unsolved and Maganes apparently was left unprotected, ”NUJP said in a statement. Maganes was a member of the local NUJP chapter.

Saddened

The NUJP condemned the murder of Maganes, saying it was “an indictment against the vain boast of this government that freedom of the press is alive and well in the country.” The attack occurred a week after media professionals commemorated the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

Malacañang also condemned the murder and described it as an “act of cowardice”. He promised to work for the arrest of the suspects. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of Virgilio Maganes and extend our deepest condolences to his family. This administration condemns any type of homicide, especially in the media, ”said the Secretary of Communications Operations of the Presidency, Martín Andanar, in a statement.

Andanar, co-chair of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, called on the police to “pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

He also asked Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, executive director of the task force, to investigate the case. Egco said it would analyze all angles to determine the motive for the murder.

Media murders

NUJP said: “We demand that the authorities work quickly to solve his death, which could be related to the failed attempt on his life.” He identified other media workers who were assassinated since President Duterte took office such as Larry Que, Joaquín Briones, Christopher Lozada, Leo Diaz, Rudy Alicaway, Mario Cantaoi, Marlon Muyco, Apolinario Suan Jr., Edmund Sestoso, Carlos Matas , Dennis Denora, Joey Llana, Gabby Alboro, Eduardo Dizon, Dindo Generoso, Cornelio Pepino and Jobert Bercasio.

On September 14, Bercasio, a manager of online news and commentary programs, died while riding his motorcycle in Barangay Cabid-an in Sorsogon province.

Unidentified gunmen

Pepino, a radio reporter, was killed in the city of Dumaguete on May 5 while riding a motorcycle on his way home from work. He was the third Dumaguete announcer to be assassinated after Sestoso in April 2018 and Generoso in November 2019.

In December 2018, Alboro, a radio lockout timer, was on his way home in the city of Guihulngan when he was killed by two men on a motorcycle in the city of La Libertad, Negros Oriental province.

In July 2018, Llana, a dwZR radio host in the city of Legazpi, was leaving his home in the city of Daraga, Albay province, when unidentified men shot him dead.

–With reports from Jerome Aning, Krixia Subingsubing and Inquirer Research

Read next

Don’t miss out on the latest news and information.

For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.