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Alert

Radio journalist shot dead; police arrest two suspects in Ramos murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed outrage at the shooting death of radio journalist George Benaojan on 1 December 2005, apparently by professional killers. The organisation noted that the murder came only three days after a life sentence was imposed on Guillermo Wapile for killing radio journalist Edgar Damalerio in 2002.

"This execution is shocking so soon after Wapile's conviction, which had greatly raised hopes of less violence against the media," the worldwide press freedom organisation said. "We call on the interior and justice ministries to speed up investigations into the various killings of journalists." It added that at least seven of the 10 journalists murdered in the country this year were killed because of their work.

A gunman shot Benaojan, 27, who hosted a weekly programme on a local radio station, DYDD Bantay Radio, after waiting several hours for him near a market in Talisay City (Cebu Island, south of Manila). A bystander was also wounded and the killer fled in a taxi. The journalist died a few hours later in hospital.

Colleagues said Benaojan had recently received death threats by text-message. He also escaped an attempt by unknown gunmen to kill him in August of last year.

Police suspect Benaojan's death may be linked to his criticism of local officials, including customs agents, following corruption allegations made on his programme and in his column in the local newspaper, "Bantay Balita".

Benaojan's killing comes a day after police arrested two suspects in the 20 November murder of journalist Roberto Ramos near Manila. The suspects reportedly confessed to the shooting saying Ramos had exposed their DVD pirating operation.