Radio commentator murdered, 9th victim under Aquino administration

MANILA – A radio commentator was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen, Monday at Alicante village, EB Magalona town, Negros Occidental.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines called for an investigation on Jimena’s killing to determine the motive of the crime and to be able arrest his killers.

Niel “Lito” Jimena, 42, host of the twice-weekly show “Judge” on DYRI-RMN, was riding his motorcycle when he was shot at five times by two men on another motorcycle at around 10 a.m., according to the local police.

Jimena was declared dead on arrival from five gunshot wounds at the provincial hospital in Silay City, according to dyEZ Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod. Recovered from the scene were four empty shells of caliber .45 pistols.

Jimena also wrote for Ilonggo News and other newspapers and worked for various radio stations in Iloilo. He later moved to Negros Occidental.

The police is looking at the possibility that the killing is related to Jimena’s work as broadcaster but is not ruling out other motives.

Jimena is the ninth journalist killed under the Aquino administration and the fourth this year. The other journalists who were killed were Jose Daguio, Miguel Belen, Edilberto Cruz, Edison Flameniana Sr., Dr. Gerry Ortega, Cirilio Gallardo, Marlina Sumera and Romeo Olea.

Not one perpetrator has been prosecuted. In Ortega’s case, the local court dropped as respondent the alleged mastermind of the murder.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called for an investigation into Jimena’s killing. (RVO)

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