World · Philippines Bureau
Philippines press group demands arrest of mastermind in radioman's killing
More than four years after radio broadcaster Federico Gempesaw was shot dead outside his home in Cagayan de Oro, authorities have apprehended the triggerman but have yet to identify who ordered the assassination. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is demanding a full investigation into the crime as the country marks International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
LSN Philippines ·
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The shooting death of radio blocktimer Federico "Ding" Gempesaw remains unresolved despite the arrest of the person who pulled the trigger, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Gempesaw was killed outside his residence in this city more than four years ago, silencing one of the region's outspoken media voices. While law enforcement has secured a conviction against the shooter, investigators have made no headway in identifying who orchestrated the attack.
The NUJP seized on Monday's observance of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists to renew calls for authorities to apprehend the mastermind behind the killing. The union emphasized that solving high-profile journalist murders requires identifying not only those who carry out the violence but also those who commission it. Without accountability for the architects of such crimes, impunity persists and press freedom remains under threat, the group argued.
The case reflects a broader pattern in the Philippines, where journalists covering sensitive issues face escalating risks. Press freedom advocates have expressed concern over the slow pace of investigations into journalist killings and the rarity of convictions against those who order such attacks. Gempesaw's death underscores the dangers faced by radio commentators and journalists who report on community issues in provincial areas.