Catholic journalist killed in Philippines

Nestor Libaton

Nestor Libaton, a 40-year-old Catholic journalist working for the 'DXHM Radio' Catholic station in the town of Mati, near Davao, on the island of Mindanao, was killed last Tuesday, 8 May by three armed gunmen.

Libaton is the third journalist killed in the Philippines in the past 15 days. 55 media workers have been killed there in the last 10 years - 151 since 1986. Many dozens of missionaries and human rights activitists have also been killed on Mindanao.

Archbishop Jose Palma, President of the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, speaking on Radio Veritas, condemned the incident and urged the authorities to solve the case as soon as possible.

Fr Francis Lucas, Executive Secretary of the "Commission for Social Communications" of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, told Fides: "We are shocked and saddened by the murder of Libaton. They killed an honest person, an innocent man, married and father of four children. We condemn the violence and demand justice.

"Radio DXHM Mati, also called 'Radio of Truth', is part of the radio circuit sponsored by the Church. It is a broadcasting service to the people, very attentive to the culture of life and development issues in Mindanao. In recent weeks even Libaton had talked a lot about these values.

"Recently, another Catholic radio station in the north of Manila was destroyed by vandals. These gestures intend to intimidate and silence the voices that defend values like truth, justice, human rights. But the Church in the Philippines will continue to proclaim the Gospel and will not be silenced."

Source: Fides/UCAN