Fernando Batul

New York, April 18, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is dismayed by the acquittal of a former police officer charged with the five-year-old murder of local Philippine radio anchor Fernando Batul.

The Philippines remained one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, but it also became one of the more litigious as numerous criminal defamation lawsuits were filed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s husband and other political figures. A deteriorating political situation and increased security concerns in February led Arroyo to declare a state of emergency and prompted her government to take a series of repressive actions against the press.

New York, May 22, 2006— The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the Philippines government to investigate the shooting death Monday of provincial radio journalist and commentator Fernando Batul. Two gunmen on motorcycles shot Batul six times as he drove to work at radio station DZRH in Puerto Princessa on Palawan Island, media reported.

MAY 15, 2006
Posted: May 15, 2006

Fernando Batul, DYRB Radio
THREATENED

Two unexploded hand grenades were found at the home of radio commentator Fernando “Dong” Batul, in Puerto Princessa on Palawan Island, according to the Philippines Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.