25 Aug 11 | Index Index, minipost
Two gunmen on a motorcycle shot radio commentator Niel Jimena, 42, on Monday night near his home in the Negros Island town of E.B. Magalona, Philippines. He was riding his own motorcycle when he was shot, and died of multiple gunshot wounds before arriving at a local hospital. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said in a statement that police have not determined a motive in the case or whether the killing was work-related. Jimena broadcast political commentary on DYRI-RMN Radio in nearby Iloilo City.
12 Aug 11 | Index Index, minipost
Officials at the state-run Cultural Centre of the Philippines shut an art exhibit on Tuesday after it provoked heated debate, threats and hate mail for combining Christian symbols with phallic objects. The decision by the centre’s board of directors came a day after former first lady and art patron Imelda Marcos joined politicians and Roman Catholic church leaders in denouncing the exhibit. The board said it made the decision because of “an increasing number of threats to persons and property,” including the artists and staff. It said the threats increased after critics vandalised an installation by removing a wooden penis from a poster depicting Jesus Christ.
13 Jun 11 | Index Index, minipost
A radio journalist for DWEB, a private station based in Manila, was shot twice in the back on his way to work. Romeo Olea’s wife said that he had received death threats and police believe the murder is linked to Olea’s recent stories criticising a city government in the east Philippines.
20 Apr 11 | Index Index, minipost
A local city councillor in the Philippines has brought two criminal defamation charges against a radio journalist. Alberto Loyola, who works for Radio DxRJ, was arrested on 18 April and has since been released on bail. Chonilo Ruiz brought the charges after Loyola accused him of lying about the city budget. If convicted Loyola could face up to six years in jail.
