Maria Vilma Rodriguez
Sydney/Geneva: A Filipino radio journalist Maria Vilma Rodriguez was shot dead by unknown assailants near her residence in the Philippines’ Zamboanga City on October 22, 2024, according to Sydney-based Radioinfo Asia.
56-year-old Maria used to present 105.9 Emedia FM’s news programme Barangay Action Center, reported the website dedicated to the latest Asian and international radio industry news and features.
Maria is the first journalist to be killed in the island nation since January 1 this year.
Expressing serious concern over her murder, the Geneva-based global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) demanded a thorough probe into the incident to book the culprits under the law of the Philippines.
“PEC condemns the murder of Maria Vilma Rodriguez with the strongest words. She became the 112th journalist victim across the globe to date this year. We urge Zamboanga City’s chief police officer in particular and President Marcos Jr to investigate the perpetrators’ motives and punish them. The government in Manila must take prompt actions against the criminals and ensure the safety of Filipino journalists and other media employees,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC.
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that Maria has become the fifth victim among media workers since the new President took charge of the Philippines in June 2022. Another Southeast Asian nation Indonesia lost Sempurna Pasaribu (Tribrata TV, Sumatra) on June 27, 2024, and Myanmar, in the last ten months, witnessed the killing of Ko Myat Thu Tun (DVB, Mrauk-U), on January 31, Htet Myat Thu (Voice of Thanbyuzayat, Mon State) on August 21, and Win Htut Oo (DVB, Mon State) on August 21, 2024.
– global bihari bureau
