Mindanao Radio Host Shot, Now in Coma
Reporters Without Borders/Reporters sans frontières
5 August 2008
PHILIPPINES
Radio talk show host in coma after being shot five times
Radio Mindanao Network talk show host Dennis Cuesta was in a coma today after being shot five times at close range yesterday while walking in a shopping mall in General Santos City on the southern island of Mindanao.
Cuesta’s show, “Straight to the Point,” is hard-hitting and controversial on sensitive subjects such as corruption and drug trafficking. Police are not ruling out the possibility that the shooting was linked to his work as a journalist.
Surgeons succeeded today in extracting a bullet lodged in his head. “If he survives this attack, he will be hemiplegic,” his doctor said.
Reporters Without Borders urges the authorities to identify and punish those responsible for the shooting, which comes just a month after the murder of a journalist in Quezon province.
“We urge the government to send a strong signal of its determination to protect the media by assigning additional resources to the Task Force in charge of investigating attacks on journalists,” the press freedom organisation said.
GenSan Broadcaster Dies, First of 2 Journalists Murdered in a Week
CPJ ‘Gravely Concerned’ With Killing of Two Journalists Within a Week
Reds seek activation of NPA hit squads in cities After Ampatuan Massacre, 2009 a Record Year for Journalist Killings Worldwide CHR to military: Respect and protect human rights during martial law in Maguindanao Maguindanao, its political elite and a culture subservient to corruption U.S. Must Improve Responsiveness to Mass Atrocities; Absent UN Action, Make Clear Willingness to Act on Its Own, Says New CFR Report Martial law dilutes the Philippines’s human rights and democratic gains Martial law in Maguindanao sets ‘most dangerous precedent’ Lawyers will wear black armbands, ribbons in courts Law group shall file plunder cases against President Arroyo et al. UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
Arroyo’s oil-price control a publicity stunt, cries Ibon Political Bloodbath Continues: Widow of Slain Activist Shot Dead New Wave of Protests Against Charter Change Set in April Comelec’s Automation to Worsen Election Fraud — Watchdog 2008: Another Bad Year for the Philippine Press ‘Unemployment Figures Wrong; Number of Jobless Higher’ ‘Nicole Is Not the Enemy’ ‘Nicole’: ‘My Conscience Bothers Me’ Is the Call Center Industry a Bright Spot for New Graduates? 6 Great Ways to Vent Your Frustrations Eating Dirt Is Actually Good For Children Australia Offers 150 Scholarship Slots for Philippines, Asia-Pacific mamert dolera: The horrible maguindanao massacre displays the “crueltiest 221; act of political warlordism... Don Untalan: I am also interested to buy (AROD) and the tall hybreed variety. Pls advice where to buy from Manila,... scott: Sports and politics do not mix. But the economy of the Philippines relies on Pacqiao. How much money would a... Bernadine Ebo: nov.11,2009 4:45 my husband and i wants to adopt