NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Police in Negros Island Region (NIR) are still facing a blank wall on the motive and suspects behind the controversial murder of Negrense radio blocktimer in La Castellana town on Friday, March 20.

The Police Provincial Office (PRO) in the NIR has its Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) now leading the probe into the killing of Julito “Jaz” Calo.

Calo was a blocktimer for “Waswasay sa Quinto Distrito” (Beating in Fifth District) program at community radio station DNN in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

While watering plants in front of their house, a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) suddenly arrived close to him.

The victim also approached the vehicle, but one male had disembarked, and shot him at close range, hitting him in the face, a police report disclosed.

The suspect then went back to the vehicle that immediately fled the crime scene.

Calo was rushed to the La Castellana Rural Health Unit, but to no avail.

He was declared dead on arrival.

Captain Jose Michael Nunez, deputy La Castellana police chief, said the victim may have known the suspect.

Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, said the newly activated SITG is focusing its probe on extensive CCTV backtracking operations across La Castellana, La Carlota City, and adjacent areas. This may help determine the movement, entry, and escape routes of the suspect.

La Castellana Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Manguilimutan asked La Castellana Police Office to dig deeper into Calo’s murder.

Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional police director of Negros Island Region, ordered the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO) to deepen their probe on the broadcaster’s murder.

Ibay wants Calo’s murder solved as soon as possible.

Calo’s murder is the freshest violence against Negros journalists in Negros Island since the murder of broadcaster Dindo Generoso of Bai Radio in Dumaguete City in 2019.

In a statement, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) condemned Calo’s murder.

“Such an attack on a journalist poses a significant threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists in our country,” read a portion of PTFOMS’ statement.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Mr. Calo. His death serves as a  reminder of the dangers that media practitioners face in the line of duty,” it addded.

The PTFOMS said it is fully committed to ensuring that justice is served.

“We have already coordinated with local law enforcement agencies to prioritize and expedite the investigation of this case. “

The National Union of Journalists in Philippines-Negros Island Region (NUJP-NIR) tagged Calo’s murder as senseless act of violence, and not an isolated case.

Rather, the NUJP-NIR considers it as part of a disturbing pattern of attacks against media workers in the Philippines.

The NUJP-NIR said too many journalists have already been killed in the line of duty. (IN NUMBERS: Filipino journalists killed since 1986)

Worse, a significant number of these cases remain unsolved, with the perpetrators and masterminds escaping justice.

“Every killing of a media worker strikes fear into the hearts of those who strive to report the truth, and it erodes the very foundation of our democracy,” the NUJP-NIR said. “We urgently urge authorities to take decisive, immediate, action: conduct a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation to identify the perpetrator and accomplices, and bring them to justice.”

The local group of Negros journalists also reiterated its challenge to the government and security forces to end the culture of impunity that has allowed these crimes to continue without justice.

“Still, we will not be silenced,” the NUJP-NIR vowed.

Meanwhile, aside from being a radio blocktimer, Calo also worked as job-order worker in Himamaylan City, and had been collared in a drug sting in 2018.

He was released on probation after he pleaded guilty for violation of the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. – Rappler.com