International Day of Action Against Impunity Journalists Worldwide Demand Solution to Media Killings in the Philippines

Press ReleaseFebruary 23, 2007

Media groups in different parts of the globe today demanded that the Arroyo government seriously address the killings of journalists and end the culture of impunity that has allowed media murders to escalate.

In letters addressed to the President, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Castelo Calderon and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates said the government's appalling record in solving media killings "sends a strong message to the world that the Philippine government cares little for the lives of journalists, and a democratic and free media."

Citing the 50 journalists killed since 2001, they said, "We are deeply concerned by these figures, and by the apparent lack of political will to find these journalist killers and bring them justice. The Melo Commission, created on August 21, 2006, has been appallingly unsuccessful in investigating these murders, and despite governmental assurances, the bloodshed continues."

The IFJ letters said "it is time for the government to make a stand for a free and safe Philippines, and act now to end the culture of impunity, to show the world your nation protects its citizens, punishes criminals, and values press freedom and democracy."

Among those who wrote letters are media organizations in Australia, Belgium, Norway, US, Uganda, East Timor, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Croatia, Hong Kong, Congo and India.Aside from writing to Philippine officials, the IFJ also urged its members to all wear black today in sympathy with the Philippine journalists.Both are parts of IFJ's International Day of Action Against Impunity and for the Safety of Filipino Journalists.In the Philippines, members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the local IFJ affiliate, held nationally coordinated actions.

Journalists and photojournalists gathered at the Quezon City Memorial Circle this morning and released doves which have traditionally symbolized justice and peace.Jose Torres Jr, NUJP chairperson, said the killings create a chilling effect that affects the entire media community. He scored the Melo Commission report on media killings as sketchy and lacking in depth.Rowena Carranza-Paraan, NUJP Secretary-General, raised concerns about the newly-approved anti-terrorism law.

She said a lot of its provisions will impact negatively on media coverage of issues, such as limiting the sources that can be interviewed, exposing journalists to unwarranted surveillance and even to the possibility of tenuous charges of inciting or conspiracy to commit terrorism.In Subic, the local NUJP chapter will launch today a multi-media infomercial campaign against impunity.

It will be held at the Comteq Computer and Business School, Olongapo City, participated in by local editors, publishers and reporters.NUJP-Sorsogon on the other hand will hold a forum on the human rights situation in Bicol with the Commission on Human Rights regional director as resource person. Afterward, there will be a special mass for all victims of extra-judicial executions.

Radio stations have been requested to devote a segment of their primetime programs to the issue of killings.In Bukidnon, journalists wearing black assembled at 6 am in Rizal Plaza for a motorcade around Valencia City. A band concert is scheduled this evening.NUJP members in other parts of the country, such as Davao City, wore black.

References:Joe Torres, Jr., NUJP chair
Rowena Carranza-Paraan, NUJP secretary-general

STUDENT ACTIVIST MURDERED IN CAMARINES NORTE

At Left: Rie Mon "Ambo" Guran is a coordinator of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) in Albay and spokesperson for the LFS in Aquinas University, Legaspi City. He was a 2nd year Political Science student. He was gunned down by elements of the AFP on his way to school around 6 am, July 31. He was killed a day after his 21st birthday. Right: Twenty-year old Cris Hugo was a small – only 4’11” tall – and humble person who led an exemplary life. He fearlessly fought for quality education and students’ rights – until bullets felled him last March 19, 2006.

By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 06:32pm (Mla time) 02/16/2007

LEGAZPI CITY-- A member and former spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) in Camarines Norte was shot dead by an unidentified gunman Thursday night, just four meters away from the gate of his school.

The human rights group Karapatan in Bicol identified the victim as Farly Alcantara II, 23, of Mercedes, Camarines Norte and a business administration student at the Camarines Norte State College in Daet, the provincial capital.

He was the first leftist student leader to be killed in the country this year and the fourth in the Bicol region since 2001, said Vince Kasilihan, staff of Karapatan-Bicol.

The victim was on his way home aboard a motorcycle with his professor when he was shot five times in the head at around 9:40 p.m.. The professor was unharmed.

Senior Superintendent Henry Rañola, provincial police director, said the victim was shot with a caliber .45 pistol by a suspect described as about 5 feet and 5 inches tall who was wearing Navy blue shorts.

Recovered from the crime scene were four empty shells and two deformed slugs.
Investigators had yet to determine the motive of the killing.

Kasilihan said accounts gathered by Karapatan-Camarines Norte said Alcantara went home late that night because he was one of the organizers of the school's trade fair to be held Friday.

He said a school administrator staying at the guard house was able to witness the crime but could not identify the killer because it was dark.

"How could the crime have happened when the police headquarters in that area was just 300 to 500 meters away from the crime scene?" Kasilihan

Karapatan estimates the nationwide death toll from the extrajudicial killings of activists at more than 830 since 2001.

VICTIMS, RIGHTS GROUPS PRESENTED CASES TO UNSR MR. ALSTON

PRESS RELEASE - February 14, 2007

Witnesses and relatives of about 20 victims whose cases were documented by KARAPATAN presented their cases to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings Mr. Philip Alston at an undisclosed place this morning.

Among the cases presented were those of Armando Javier, Jr. and Romeo Malabanan, victims of extrajudicial killings. Armando and his wife were shot inside their home on 2 October 2005. Armando was Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Party List Municipal Coordinator in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija and was being harassed by soldiers prior to his murder. Romeo Malabanan, a Bayan Muna Coordinator of Bay, Laguna was shot in front of their home on 23 December 2003.

Josie Javier, wife of Armando said, " As I thought of my husband this Valentine's Day, I hope that Mr. Alston really listened to our story and will do everything in his power to give us justice; this will indeed be a good Valentine's gift." Josie and Glendyl Malabanan, Romeo's daughter, lamented, "We have presented our cases to the CHR, to Congress and to media so that Arroyo will hear but justice has not been served and the killings have not stopped."

Philippine human rights watchdog KARAPATAN explained to Mr. Alston the pattern of violence that point to a state policy behind the killings. KARAPATAN Secretary General Marie Hilao-Enriquez said "We have explained to the UN human rights team that a nationwide scope of killings that is being attributed to state security forces can only be a result of a directive from the Philippine government. The coming passage of the Anti-Terror Bill will worsen the situation, especially with the continuation of the Oplan Bantay Laya program."

KARAPATAN counts the number of civilians killed by state security forces and paramilitary death squads at 833 and 355 more who had survived attacks on their lives.

The human rights group also scored the police Task Force Usig for resurrecting an old issue to discredit KARAPATAN's work in an effort to hide the state's hand in the killings. TF Usig yesterday presented to Mr. Alston Edwin Mascariñas and Renato Bugtong who were earlier reported to KARAPATAN as killed.

Enriquez said that Mr. Mascariñas' name was earlier included because a family member reported his death to a rights worker, Isaias Manano. Manano was believed killed by military elements shortly after attempting to investigate Mascariñas' case. Mr. Bugtong was a torture victim whose name was transferred from our list of killed to those of tortured victims even before Usig came out publicly on their so-called discovery. Enriquez said that "We sincerely regret the error and we are happy if really Mr. Mascariñas is indeed alive." She also said, "This does not however discount the fact that more than 800 have already been killed by the military and police. There are a great many families of victims and witnesses who are coming out and telling the world of the Arroyo regime's crimes. "

References:
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Secretary General

Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer

TATSULOK - BAMBOO UPDATED WITH VIDEO

I am as surprised, excited and a bit militant at the moment, thanks to Banketa Republique, I just found out that the country’s number 1 band Bamboo is preparing to release a new album with this particular song included: Tatsulok.

Originally by Buklod, of which Noel Cabangon was once a member, a progressive musical group who created the timeless tunes, beats, music and songs for the Pilipino activist since the 1990’s. I first heard their songs, including the now famous McDonald’s tv ad song, Kanlungan, during my high school days when I was initiated into the Left-of-center line of thought. Their music has changed me forever.

Now, Bamboo is going to change it again. With their spin on one of the most powerful and progressive songs of Buklod, my idealism, optimism and love of the motherland has started to rekindle anew. So watch out for a renewed activity over at Sumilang.

What is “Tatsulok”? It mean ‘triangle’ in English and more to the point, it refers to the inverted social pyramid or triangle that characterizes the Philippine society, the wealth and elite few are on top, basking in the wealth of the nation while the majority of the people are languishing below in poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. Tatsulok is the song that clearly describes this image of our society.

Head on over to Bamboo’s official site and listen to their version of this great progressive song, and you’d be hard pressed not to listen with your heart, conscience and do something about it.

Tatsulok

Totoy bilisan mo, bilisan mo ang takbo
Ilagan ang mga bombang nakatutok sa ulo mo
Totoy tumalon ka, dumapa kung kailangan
At baka tamaan pa ng mga balang ligaw

Totoy makinig ka, wag kang magpa-gabi
Baka mapagkamalan ka’t humandusay dyan sa tabi
Totoy alam mo ba kung ano ang puno’t dulo
Ng di matapos-tapos na kaguluhang ito

[Refrain]
Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban
Ang kulay at tatak ay di syang dahilan
Hangga’t marami ang lugmok sa kahirapan
At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman

[Chorus]
Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok
Di matatapos itong gulo

At ang dating munting bukid, ngayo’y sementeryo
Totoy kumilos ka, baliktarin ang tatsulok
Tulad ng dukha, nailagay mo sa tuktok

[repeat Refrain and Chorus]

[repeat Refrain and Chorus]

[repeat Chorus]

Di matatapos itong gulo

SEDITION CHARGES vs TRIBUNE: A CHILL WIND FOR MEDIA

StatementFebruary 15, 2007

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns the filing of sedition charges against Daily Tribune publisher Ninez Cacho-Olivarez and columnists Herman Tiu Laurel and Ike Seneres.

The Department of Justice's move sends a chill wind across the Philippine media landscape. But as the Arroyo administration learned during its ill-fated and short-lived efforts to impose tyranny over this nation, Filipino journalists will not be cowed by efforts to silence the press.

The DOJ said it filed the charges because the three journalists' articles tried to "lead or stir up the people against the lawful authorities, namely, the President of the Philippines, and disturb the peace of the community."

The kind of reasoning betrays the government's intent to silence a broad spectrum of legal dissent and sweep allegations of corruption, rights violations and other misdeeds under a thick cloud of fear.

The charge that critical write-ups undermine government officials and institutions is likewise typical of the administration's penchant to blame media for scandals and controversies borne of official misconduct.

The NUJP rejects the government's claim that "overriding demands and requirements of the greater number" justifies a clampdown on press freedom and freedom of expression.

It is in defending the people's right to know that the press and citizens lay down the foundations of a genuine democracy, one that highlights the accountability of public servants. Without this accountability, democracy becomes a farce.

The charges against our colleagues at Tribune shows that the demons of February 2006 that this administration sought to set loose on this land have not been exorcised.

That the charges against Tribune were filed during the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial killings only displays the administration's brazen stance towards civil liberties.

The filing of the charges less than a year since the administration declared a state of emergency highlights the need for perpetual vigilance. If there is only thing we can expect from this government, it is that it will try and try again to narrow a democratic space already bloodied by the mounting murders of journalists, activists and judges.

The NUJP will not even call on the government to withdraw the charges. Instead, it calls on all media organizations and entities to support our Tribune colleagues in their fight against a tyrannical administration.

There is also one other way to defeat this administration's goal of muzzling the Press – that is for all Filipino journalists to meet this latest outrage with sustained, independent and courageous reportage on official misconduct.

The NUJP also calls on the public to support media's struggle to defend press freedom.

References:Jose Torres Jr., chairperson
Rowena Carranza-Paraan, secretary-general

SC to Create Special Courts on Extrajudicial Killings

Posted: February 15, 2007 By Jay B. Rempillo

Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno today announced that the Supreme Court, within a week’s time, will establish special courts that will be tasked to resolve killings of the members of the media, as well as political killings.

Chief Justice Puno made the statement during an ambush media interview following the courtesy call by delegates from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) led by Prof. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur of the UNCHR on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions.

The chief magistrate said he had already directed the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) to submit a complete inventory of all extrajudicial killings which will include, among others, cases with ideological dimensions, and media killings. The inventory will help the High Court in determining the sources of the problems of delay “to pave the way for a fast resolution of these cases.”

“This will be part of our efforts to establish special courts in order to resolve all these special types of cases. This will go high in our priority list,” Chief Justice Puno said.
The numbers of special courts will depend on the density of cases per area. Chief Justice Puno said he wants to “see first the geographical locations of these cases” so that the High Court will create more special courts per area if necessary.

Chief Justice Puno said that Alston and his delegation had expressed the UNCHR’s concern on the rising extrajudicial killings in the country. “I understand the team is in the process of gathering all the information and it’s their intent to help in the solution of this problem,” he said.
When asked about establishing a rewards system to expedite resolution of cases, Chief Justice Puno said the High Court is open to the idea but expressed budgetary concerns. “That needs financial resources and if you look at our budget, the problem will be how to source the finances in order to raise the rewards,” he said.

“The first and foremost of human rights is the right to life. It has long been accorded universal status for the existence of all other rights is premised on the preservation of life. The extrajudicial taking of life is the ultimate violation of human rights. It cannot be allowed anywhere, and it has to be resisted everywhere…Extrajudicial killings also constitute brazen assaults on the rule of law. It is the constitutional duty of our judiciary to protect the rule of law and we will link with all efforts to prevent its erosion,” said Chief Justice Puno.

ESCUDERO URGES GOV'T TO SOLVE EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS

HOUSE minority leader Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday called on newly installed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane to look into the alleged involvement of the military in the extra-judicial killings in the country.

Escudero, the congressman from the First District of Sorsogon, said the Department of National Defense should initiate its own investigation to determine if indeed the Armed Forces of the Philippines had a hand in the killings.

He said in Sorsogon alone, six Bayan Muna members have fallen victims under the Arroyo administration, two of which were shot dead last January 2007. The first one was Bayan Muna Sorsogon City Chair and radio broadcaster Ricardo Uy on November 18, 2005.

“The extra-judicial killings not only in Sorsogon but also in other parts of the country are increasing and yet the government seems to be futile in addressing this problem in the countryside. We have to give justice to the victims and put the culprits behind bars,” the House minority leader stressed.

Escudero urged Malacanang to make public the 89-page report of the Melo Commission tasked to investigate the unabated killing of leftist activists to dispel suspicions that there was a cover up in the probe to absolve ranking military officials.

“I doubt if some soldiers as stated in the report had acted on their own in killing these people. There might be someone ordering them to eradicate members of militant organizations,” the congressman said.

He pressed for the creation of another investigating body to look into the alleged involvement of the AFP in the killing of leftist activists. “The independent commission should not be created by the executive branch but by the legislature in order to erase any doubt of whitewash.”

Escudero urged the House committee on human rights to hasten the approval of a joint resolution creating an independent commission to investigate the extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo administration.

The joint resolution filed in May 2006 is still pending in the House committee on human rights. House Resolution 1030 co-authored by Escudero which seeks to investigate the possible involvement of the AFP in the killing of a Bayan Muna head in Sorsogon filed in November 2005 is also pending in the committee on national defense.

Under the Arroyo regime, more than 820 members, leaders and supporters of militant groups and people’s organizations have already been killed.

CHIZ TELLS EBDANE TO STOP KILLINGS

In the light of the Melo Commission Report, House Minority Leader Francis “Chiz” Escudero called on newly appointed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to stop the killings and other violations of human rights placed at the doorstep of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Commission held retired M/Gen. Jovito Palparan and certain military officials responsible for the extrajudicial executions during their tours of duty under the principle of command responsibility.

“I refuse to be drawn into the controversy as to whether the officer in command could be held responsible under the principle, but the fact remains that the military leadership needs to send a strong message that these criminal acts have no place in a civilized society,” Escudero said.

Asked to comment on allegations that Ebdane had a role in the cheating in the last elections, the congressman said it would be pointless for him to add his voice to the storm of criticism that attended the appointment. He said the appointment is already an accomplished fact.

“But Ebdane should be able to redeem himself, and the best way to do that is to keep the military out of partisan politics in the coming mid-term election,” he said. “The Filipino people would thank him for strengthening the democratic institutions in the country.”
The 37-year-old congressman from Sorsogon also urged the leadership to address other problems that plague the defense establishment.

“It is important that we look into the welfare of the ordinary soldier. If you remember military adventurers almost brought down the government several times in the past by riding on the grievances on the ground.”

He said there is something basically wrong when soldiers are sent out to run after the enemies of the state armed with assault rifles that malfunction.

“It is an outrage that soldiers should go into battle poorly clad and inadequately fed,” he said, “while the generals and their families drive around in flashy cars, purchase condominiums in New York, and maintain dollar accounts in foreign banks.

On the complaint that the AFP operates on a limited budget, Escudero said the real problem is in the skewed sense of priority adopted by the leadership.

“For instance,” the AFP should drop the idea of purchasing F16s or fighter planes,” he said. “For the kind of operation our soldiers are engaged in, the leadership might consider using its scarce resources to buy helicopters for troop deployment, to attack the enemy, and for medivac (medical evacuation) purposes.”

“I have been informed about cases of soldiers bleeding to death because of lack of air transport,” he said. “Now, that is absolutely unacceptable.”

Palace: Bicol rehab exempt from ban

THE P10-billion fund for the repair of areas that were stricken by super typhoons last year is exempted from the public works ban during the election period and the Department of Budget and Management is set to release the amount soon.

But Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. assured the public that the disbursement of the multi-billion Calamity Assistance and Relief Efforts (CARE) fund will follow strict guidelines to be handed down by the Commission on Elections.

“Work on these projects will continue for as long as activities will be limited to the restoration of the damaged facilities. Another requirement under the Omnibus Election Code is to report these projects to the Commission on Elections before hand,” Andaya said.

He explained that the mandatory public works ban during the election period will not cover the repair work in the towns ravaged by super-typhoons Milenyo, Paeng, Reming and Senyang.

Section 261 of the Omnibus Elections Code treats “emergency works” necessitated by a public calamity as exempt from the public works ban so long as work undertaken is limited to restoration activities. The public works ban will take effect on March 30.

The budget chief said it would be another disaster if the repair of the damaged classrooms will not be allowed because the summer season is the best time for the public works before classes open in June.

“In fact, we should take advantage of the good weather window, the first five months of the year, to rush repair work before the rains come again,” he said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also allayed fears that the government will go on a spending binge to fatten up government coffers after the passage of the 2007 national budget.

Mrs. Arroyo said the administration will respect the public works ban during the elections and will stick to the budget to preserve the country’s economic gains.

“Lest anyone falsely declare that we will spend beyond our means before the upcoming elections, I’ve something to say: No way,” the President said. “We have a budget in place and the discipline and political will to stick to it. Our economic managers are also determined to meet their goal of balancing our budget in 2008.”

Aside from calamity repair, the ban also does not cover foreign-funded projects, maintenance work on existing public works project and housing-related projects.

The 2007 budget provides for capital outlays to build 3,251 km of roads, 6,000 classrooms, 16 airports, and 1,312 flood systems, among other infrastructure projects. Joyce Pangco Pañares

Bird's death in Sorsogon probed for avian virus link

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it was looking into reports that a migratory bird found dead in Sorsogon province could have died of bird flu, the dreaded avian disease now wreaking havoc in neighboring countries.

Doctor Eric Tayag, chief of the DOH-National Epidemiology Center, said health officials learned of the death of a heron after conducting a heightened information drive among local folk.

Part of the information campaign, Tayag said, asked residents to report any "suspicious deaths" of fowl and other birds. The heron, a migratory bird, was found dead at an undisclosed field.

"Birds really die there, but what's important now is that agriculture officials know that we at the DOH are waiting for the results of their investigation on the matter," Tayag said in Filipino during an interview on dzBB radio.

He noted that in other Asian countries coping with the avian influenza, the carriers of the virus appear healthy but the other birds who eventually contract the disease are the ones that die.

"We (Health officials) will take swift action once we learn of any indication that we should be alarmed," Tayag assured.

In a separate interview with GMA News, Tayag said the investigation requires close coordination with other government agencies.

"The Agriculture Department, the Bureau of Animal Industry, will send a team [to Sorsogon]. Because that was a migratory bird, we will need the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. We will act accordingly based on their assessment of the situation," Tayag said in Filipino.

The Philippines, Singapore and Brunei are the only remaining "bird flu-free countries in Southeast Asia," the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported last February 4.

The DA has imposed an importation ban against poultry and live birds from Japan in the wake a bird flu scare in the region.

In a statement, the DA said that it "has temporarily banned imports of live birds along with poultry and its products from Japan following official reports on the presence of the avian influenza (AI) or bird flu virus in that country."

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said that, "There is a possibility that travelers may bring in pet birds, poultry and poultry products from Japan ... Thus, I have ordered DA quarantine officers and inspectors at all major airports and seaports to stop and confiscate all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from Japan." - GMANews.TV

Juag Lagoon in Matnog town declared free from red tide; Sorsogon Bay stays positive

Province of SORSOGON (February 8) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has lifted the shellfish ban in Juag Lagoon in Matnog town here after red tide monitoring activities for the past three consecutive weeks shows negative results on shellfish meat for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).

In a advisory dated February 2, 2007, BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento announced that shellfish harvested from the said lagoon are now safe for human consumption, thus gathering and selling of shellfish from said area is now permitted.

Furthermore, BFAR is still closely monitoring Juag Lagoon to safeguard public health and to protect the shellfish industry.

Sorsogon Bay, meanwhile, remains positive on the red tide toxin based on the latest BFAR Bulletin also dated February 2.

Along with Sorsogon Bay that are still found positive on red tide toxins include coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate; coastal waters of Siaton, Negros Oriental; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga de Sur; Irong_Irong Bay in Samar; and Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur.

BFAR warns that all types of shellfish and acetes sp. Or alamang gathered from the said areas are not safe for human consumption, thus banned for gathering ang selling.

Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs, however are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs are removed before cooking, the advisory also stated.

Sorsogon Bay has been declared positive for the red tide toxin and toxic red tide organism for almost 5 months now depriving hundreds of fishermen of their livelihood and raking up the prices of other marine resources from the bay not affected by the red tide. (Mharr Loterte, PIA Sorsogon)

Lawyer shot dead in Sorsogon

SORSOGON CITY – A lawyer was shot Friday afternoon moments after stepping out of his office in the central Philippine province of Sorsogon, police said.

About 4 p.m., Dennis Valencia was on his way home when an undetermined number of gunmen shot him at close range upon stepping out of the gate of the Bulwagan ng Katarungan compound on Florenz Street, said police Chief Inspector Julito Gallego, chief of the provincial police Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO).

The victim was the son of Judge Mirafe Valencia of the Matnog municipal trial court.

Recovered from the crime scene were six spent shells and a deformed slug from a .45 caliber pistol.

As of posting time, authorities could still find no witness to the shooting incident.

Inspector Sammy Realuyo, head of the intelligence section of the city police office, said that he was with Valencia minutes before the incident. At the time, the victim was acting as counsel for a drug suspect.

Realuyo said he noticed nothing unusual when he left the same compound.

In December last year, lawyer Gil Gojol was shot dead by two gunmen in Gubat town while on his way home to Sorsogon City.

No suspects have been arrested in connection with the Gojol killing. - GMANews.TV