A radio journalist was killed in the southern Philippines on Monday, adding to the list of media workers attacked in the country. The victim, Erwin Labitad Segovia, was a broadcaster for Radio WOW FM. He hosted a program that covered local issues and governance.
Segovia, 63, was heading home after his morning broadcast when two men on a motorcycle followed and shot him. The gunman has not been identified. Police have launched a full investigation into the killing.
The presidential task force on media security confirmed the incident. Its executive director, Jose Torres Jr., stated that a special investigation team is now working on the case. “The safety of journalists remains a priority for the government,” he said. “We are committed to finding justice for the victims of media-related violence.”
This latest attack puts a fresh spotlight on the dangers faced by journalists in the Philippines. The country ranks ninth on the 2024 Global Impunity Index by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The index lists nations where murders of journalists often go unsolved.
The journalist killed in the Philippines is one of over 200 such cases since the country returned to democracy in 1986. One of the worst incidents occurred in 2009, when 32 journalists were killed in a single attack in the south.
Segovia’s death highlights the risks reporters face, especially in rural areas where law enforcement is weaker and political power is concentrated. Human rights groups and press freedom advocates continue to urge the government to provide better protection for media workers.
Officials say they will track down the suspects and ensure justice is served. For now, Segovia’s killing is a grim reminder of the threats still facing journalists across the country.
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