Journalists Killed in 2017 - Motive Unconfirmed: Leonardo Diaz
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2017 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Killed in 2017 - Motive Unconfirmed: Leonardo Diaz, 31 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a4e33703.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This 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. |
Sapol, Balita, Radio Mindanao Network | Killed in President Quirino, Philippines | August 07, 2017
Leonardo Diaz was shot and killed while he was riding a motorcycle in the town of President Quirino on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on August 7, 2017, news reports said.
Diaz had just left his house in Katiko village at approximately 9 a.m. when two assailants ambushed him and then drove away on motorcycle, according to an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that quoted a local police commander, Raul Supiter. According to the reports, at least one of these assailants shot Diaz during the altercation.
The town's senior police inspector, Joan Resurrecion, said Diaz died at the scene of the shooting from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the news site Intraksyon.
Two others who were traveling with Diaz on the motorcycle at the time of the shooting were injured, according to the news site Interaksyon.
Police authorities on September 6, 2017, filed murder charges against the gunman who allegedly shot and killed Diaz, according to Supiter, who was quoted in a Manila Bulletin report. Supiter said authorities are withholding the suspect's name to avoid jeopardizing an ongoing manhunt for the alleged assailant, who authorities believe to be a gun-for-hire.
Diaz, a former police officer, had covered stories on political corruption, illegal gambling, and drugs, according to a GMA Online News report that quoted Fort Yerro, a Balita consultant. Yerro said he did not know of any threats against Diaz.
Diaz had also reported for Sapol News as a freelancer for around 10 years, according to the local newspaper's publisher, John Paul Jubelag, reports said.
Motive Unconfirmed: CPJ is investigating to determine whether the death was work-related.
