Press Release
December 26, 2007

Senator slams killing of Davao City radio broadcaster

Sen. Loren Legarda on Wednesday denounced harshly the assassination of Davao City radio broadcaster Fernando "Ferdie" Lintuan. She called the killing "a cowardly act."

"This despicable attack should not go unpunished. The authorities should spare no effort in bringing the culprits to swift justice," Legarda said.

The senator also said she was counting on both the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Police "to demonstrate greater resolve in suppressing the mounting atrocities against media practitioners."

"We must stress that the government is duty-bound to safeguard media practitioners and every citizen for that matter, from all forms of violence and abuse," Legarda said.

Lintuan, 51, was shot dead on Christmas eve while driving along R. Castillo Street in Barangay Duterte, Agdao, Davao City. A motorcycle-riding assailant shot him twice with a .45 pistol.

Camp Crame and the NBI have already installed Task Force Batman to run after Lintuan's killers. The task force is already looking into the possible involvement of the so-called Davao Death Squad in the slaying of the radio broadcaster.

Lintuan earned a reputation for his stinging commentaries against official malfeasance over Radio DXGO. He was popularly known by his "Batman" moniker.

The police have already released an artist's sketch of the suspected gunman.

A former broadcast journalist, Legarda is also author of several bills seeking to uplift the working and living conditions of the country's media practitioners.

News Latest News Feed