‘Gunman’ in shooting of journalist charged

CMFR/ PHILIPPINES – A murder charge against the alleged gunman in the killing of radio blocktimer Maurito Lim has been filed in Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province. Bohol is 983 kilometers south of Manila.

In Philippine broadcast practice, a blocktimer is an individual who purchases “blocks” of TV or radio time for sponsorship. Among those journalists killed in the Philippines since 2002 are 41 blocktimers and “volunteer” practitioners who are not paid by the TV or radio station where they have programs.

Lim was shot on February 14 when he was about to enter the office of dyRD in Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province. He was rushed to the hospital but died hours later.

PO1 Jess Francis Monton, head investigator of Lim’s case, told the Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility that suspect Jovane Celocia Orenia was arrested March 5 during a buy-bust operation in Poblacion II, Tagbilaran City. He was later identified by a witness as the alleged gunman of Lim.

Police said that Orenia is a professional gun for hire who also worked on the illegal drug trade.

A case was filed against Orenia in the City Prosecutor’s Office on March 9. The city prosecutor found “probable cause” and filed a resolution on March 30. The case has been filed and is currently being raffled to an appropriate court for trial.

Lim was the second journalist killed in 2015.

Monton said that the police are primarily looking at a land dispute as the possible reason for the killing, but could have also been due to his reports on the local drug trade.