Barely a day after media called out against impunity on the second anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, another media practitioner was shot and critically wounded in Cagayan de Oro City Thursday night.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said at least two motorcycle-riding men shot Bombo Radyo anchor Michael James Licuanan while he was on his way home at around 9:30 p.m.
"Licuanan, a reporter and anchor of Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro's Zona Libre commentary program, sustained one gunshot wound after two men on board a red XRM motorcycle shot him as he was nearing Cogon Market, about a kilometer away from the radio station," the NUJP said in its news alert.
On its website, the NUJP said a total of 146 journalists have been killed since democracy was won back in 1986. Of the total number, 146 killings were committed during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and five under the current Aquino administration.
Stable condition
A separate report on Bombo Radyo said Licuanan was in stable condition as of Friday morning. Bombo Radyo said the suspects were described as between 30 to 35 years old, 5'7" tall, and wearing black undershirts.
The NUJP said both gunmen were wearing full-face helmets and black jackets and had been tailing Licuanan.
Both men were seen outside the radio station hours before the shooting, the NUJP quoted a company security guard as saying.
Cogon police precinct head Senior Inspector Elmer Robas said the two men fired two shots at Licuanan. The first shot missed but caused him to crash into the street.
One of the two then got off the motorcycle, and fired at and chased Licuanan, hitting him in the left buttock. The bullet exited through Licuanan's stomach.
Despite his injuries, Licuanan managed to run to a nearby fire station where he asked for help. Licuanan was brought to the provincial hospital where doctors operated on him. Police recovered two cal-.45 shells from the incident scene.
Task force
A separate report on Bombo Radyo said the Department of Interior and Local Government formed a team to look into the incident.
Herman Basbaño, Bombo Radyo's vice president for operations and AM chief operating officer, and Kapisan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, said he received an assurance from DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Basbaño also condemned the incident. — RSJ
