MAY 4, 2005
Posted: May 5, 2005
Klein Cantoneros, DXAA-FM
KILLED—UNCONFIRMED
Cantoneros, a radio broadcaster known for denouncing corruption, died after being shot as many as seven times by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Dipolog City on the southern island of Mindanao. The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating the circumstances of the case to determine whether the journalist’s murder was connected to his work.
Cantoneros, 32, who frequently criticized local officials for alleged corruption and illegal gambling on his talk radio program on DXAA-FM, was returning home around 1:30 a.m. when he was attacked by as many as three gunmen, according to local news reports.
Cantoneros was clutching his own .45-caliber pistol when he was found, and he appeared to have fired back at his attackers, according to ABS-CBN, quoting police. Cantoneros’ colleague, Robert Baguio, told radio DZBB that the journalist identified his assailants before undergoing surgery, according to Inquirer News Service. He died at around 11 p.m.
Cantoneros’ colleagues told reporters that the journalist had received several death threats, some by cell phone text message, ABS-CBN reported.
President Gloria Arroyo’s spokesman Ignacio Bunye called for a full investigation. “We condemn this [attack] and we expect the Philippine National Police to do its job in investigating this crime,” Bunye told DXMM radio, according to Agence France-Presse.