Desidario Camangyan

Sunrise FM

June 14, 2010, in Manay, Philippines

Camangyan was shot from behind at close range while hosting an amateur singing contest, according to local and international news reports. He died at the scene from a single shot to the head in front of an audience that included his wife and 6-year-old son, news reports said. Police said the gunman escaped on foot.

Camangyan was an anchor for local radio station Sunrise FM in the provincial capital, Mati City. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility a local press freedom group, told CPJ that Camangyan and his two co-hosts had received threats in connection with their commentaries on illegal logging in Mindanao's Davao Oriental province. The trio had jointly reported on the issue for their "Hotline Patrol" program for four consecutive weeks before Camangyan's murder, the center reported. Camangyan had also campaigned for the incumbent mayor of Mati, Michelle Rabat, in general elections the month before, according to local news reports.

On June 21, murder charges were filed against two suspects, police officer Dennis Jess Lumikid and Romeo Antoling, a local village official, according to the local Sun Star newspaper. Antoling had invited Camangyan to host the contest, local news reports said. Witnesses, including Camangyan's wife, Ruth Matinong, helped police identify the suspects, according to news reports. Lumikid was indicted in a Mati regional court, but charges against Antoling were dropped after prosecutors failed to show sufficient evidence, according to the Sun Star. The newspaper reported in February 2012 that the case had been reassigned to another court.

Medium: Radio

Job: Columnist / Commentator

Beats Covered: Corruption

Gender: Male

Local or Foreign: Local

Freelance: Yes

Type of Death: Murder

Suspected Source of Fire: Government Officials

Impunity: Yes

Taken Captive: No

Tortured: No

Threatened: Yes

Related Articles:

• Getting Away With Murder, June 1, 2011
• Radio broadcaster shot dead in the Philippines, June 15, 2010