By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) on Tuesday demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the killing of Bicol broadcaster Adrian “Golden Boy” Loterte, who was slain in Albay just hours after publicly criticizing illegal online gambling operations.
Loterte, an anchor of the “Rabas cun Rabas” program on RBN News Television, was killed Monday while attending to his bakery shop in Barangay San Roque, Daraga, Albay, according to an NPC statement issued October 13.
NPC President Mina Navarro said the broadcaster had earlier denounced the proliferation of illegal online gambling, particularly in Camalig, Albay, and urged police authorities to intensify their campaign against the activity.
The killing drew condemnation from the Bicol Press Club (BPC), Albay Press Club (ABC), local government units and politicians in Albay, who described the incident as an attack on press freedom.
Loterte was later declared dead at a hospital.
“Violence against journalists is unacceptable. We urge the police to expedite the investigation, identify the perpetrators, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Navarro said.
The NPC stressed that journalists must be allowed to report on public concerns, express opinions and hold government officials accountable without facing violence or intimidation.
Navarro said attacks against media workers have no place in a democratic society, emphasizing the importance of protecting those exercising their responsibility to inform the public.
The broadcaster’s killing occurred just days before the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) was scheduled to conduct media safety seminars in neighboring Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.
The NPC called on authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding Loterte’s death through a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought before the law.
The press organization maintained that justice for the slain broadcaster must be pursued while safeguarding journalists’ right to perform their duties without fear of violence or intimidation.
ia/xf
