BY RAYMOND AFRICA
A RADIOMAN was killed Tuesday night in
Northern Samar by an unidentified gunman.
Police said Leoluna "Leo" Mila, 35, a
broadcaster of FM Radyo Natin, was leaving the radio station
compound in Sitio Napares, Barangay Zone 3, San Roque town when
the lone gunman appeared, shot him several times, and then fled
on foot.
Mila died on the spot from gunshot wounds in
the head, body, and legs.
Five .45 caliber pistol shells were recovered
at the crime scene.
Mila is the fifth journalist killed this year
and the fourth from a radio network.
Radyo Natin is an affiliate of the Manila
Broadcasting Company (MBC) which owns Manila-based dzRH AM radio
station.
Last November 17, Arecio Handag Padrigao, a
block timer at the FM radio station dxRZ Radyo Natin based in
Gingoog City, was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men.
Padrigao had just dropped his son off at the
Bukidnon State University on Motoomull street when he was shot.
He died on the spot.
Many international groups, including the New
York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, list the
Philippines as one of the most dangerous places in the world to
work as a journalist.
Sixty reporters have been killed since 2001.
Under fire from local and international human rights groups
for its failure to protect hundreds of journalists and left-wing
activists killed over the past seven years, the government has
vowed to track down killers of media men but there have been few
convictions.
