Tuesday, June 22, 2010

News Update Politician main suspect in Philippine press murder: police

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MANILA, June 22, 2010 (AFP) – An influential local politician is the main suspect in the murder of a journalist in the northern Philippines, police said on Tuesday, amid mounting anger over a new rash of press killings.

Police said they had recommended murder charges against Pacifico Velasco, newly elected vice-mayor of Bacarra town, and one of his bodyguards, for the killing of radio broadcaster Jovelito Agustin last week.

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"We have a tracking team that is looking for his location so when the warrant is issued, things will be easier for us," said Superintendent Bienvenido Rayco, head of a task force probing the murder.

However he warned that the case would have to go through a prolonged legal process before any arrest.

Rayco said eyewitnesses and evidence showed that a nephew-bodyguard of Velasco shot Agustin dead while he was riding home on his motorcycle on June 15.

He was one of three journalists killed in this country in one week, affirming the Philippines' status as one of the most dangerous places for journalists.

The new rash of killings have been widely condemned, with the US State Department on Monday urging Philippine authorities to quickly bring those responsible to justice.

Agustin had been a fierce critic of Velasco, a former mayor of Bacarra.

Velasco's men are also suspected of having fired at Agustin's house on May 7, just before the national elections. Separate charges of attempted murder were also sought against Velasco and his aides over that incident, Rayco said.

Politicians and other powerful government figures are often blamed for the killings of journalists in this country.

The worst such incident took place in the southern island of Mindanao on November last year, when 57 people including 30 journalists were killed allegedly by the private army of the ruling political clan.

Last year alone, 38 journalists were killed in the Philippines according to media watchdog the International Press Institute (IPI).

Critics have blamed the numerous killings of journalists in the Philippines on the many unlicensed firearms and a "culture of impunity" where powerful figures believe they are above the law.