Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 15:44 GMT

Journalists Killed in 2013 - Motive Confirmed: Joas Dignos

Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists
Publication Date 1 March 2014
Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Killed in 2013 - Motive Confirmed: Joas Dignos, 1 March 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5333e96e12.html [accessed 5 June 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

DXGT Radio
November 29, 2013, in Valencia City, Philippines

Unidentified gunmen on two motorcycles shot Dignos, 49, in the head and chest while he was traveling on a national highway in Valencia City, police told local journalists.

Dignos hosted a weekday show called "Bombardier" on DXGT radio, in which he often criticized local officials, according to news reports. According to colleagues, over the past few years Dignos became well known for his highly critical on-air commentaries about local officials whom he deemed corrupt, reports said.

In the days following Dignos' murder, local police said they were investigating the motive, and did not rule out that Dignos may have been targeted for his political commentary, reports said. They said the gunmen could have been hired to kill Dignos, reports said. A special task force was created to speed up the investigation, police said.

Joseph Deveza, the Mindanao safety coordinator of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, told media that the death appeared to be work-related as there were no known enemies in Dignos' personal life, only those who objected to his program. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said that Dignos had received death threats in the past in connection with his work. The union also said that Dignos had at times used recorded commentary to replace his live broadcasts so that potential assailants would not know his whereabouts. In June, a grenade exploded near the station while one of Dignos' recorded commentaries was on air, according to local media reports.

Medium:Radio
Job:Broadcast Reporter, Columnist / Commentator
Beats Covered:Corruption, Politics
Gender:Male
Local or Foreign:Local
Freelance:No
Type of Death:Murder
Suspected Source of Fire:Unknown Fire
Impunity:Yes
Taken Captive:No
Tortured:No
Threatened:Yes
Copyright notice: © Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ.

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