Philippines: Cotabato broadcaster murdered in targeted shooting

Radio broadcaster Nestor Micator was shot dead by unknown assailants on May 21 in Cotabato province within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), allegedly for his reporting on illegal drug trafficking in the area. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), in strongly condemning the targeted murder and urging the authorities to ensure the perpetrators are held responsible.

D'Empire radio broadcaster Nestor Micator was murdered in a targeted shooting on May 21 in Cotabato province of the Philippines. Credit: Facebook

Micator, a news reporter at D'Empire Radio Broadcasting Network and member of the local village council, was shot and killed by two unidentified attackers on a motorcycle outside a community hall in Barangay Fort Pikit within Malidegao town. He sustained gunshot wounds to the head and was declared dead on arrival at Cruzado Medical Hospital.

BARMM police said they were investigating three potential suspects but were withholding names while assembling the case. According to a report from the Malidegao Municipal Police Station, Micator's murder was allegedly linked to his journalism on illegal drugs in Malidegao town. Investigators reportedly searched for CCTV near the scene and found no cameras functioning in the area.

Both Micator's widow, Ruvy, and brother said three people previously arrested in a 'drug-bust' had blamed Micator's reporting for their arrest. Micator, who was also known as 'Teting', regularly covered anti-drug operations conducted by local police and may have been suspected of being a police asset while performing his journalistic duties, said Ruvy in a radio interview on May 24.

Micator is the eleventh journalist to be killed under the Marcos Jr. administration, with not one case fully resolved, according to the NUJP. "While four suspects behind two of these killings have been arrested, no mastermind has been brought to justice. Micator should not add to the list of these unresolved cases," the NUJP said.

The NUJP said: "The killing of Micator is proof that impunity persists and the Marcos Jr. administration has failed substantially to protect journalists and media workers. The NUJP stands in solidarity with the family, friends and colleagues of Micator in their search for justice."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The IFJ strongly condemns the heinous murder of Nestor Micator and calls on the Marcos administration to take urgent action to investigate the killing and safeguard media workers in the Philippines. The enduring culture of impunity for crimes against journalists in the country must end, and the perpetrators must be brought swiftly to justice."