Former senator Leila de Lima condemned the killing of radio broadcaster Adrian “Golden Boy” Loterte in Daraga, Albay, calling for a swift and impartial investigation and accountability for those responsible.
In a social media post on Wednesday, October 14, De Lima denounced the attack against Loterte, who was known for his outspoken commentaries on politics and illegal activities.
The killing came less than a year after another journalist, Noel Bellen Samar, was killed in Guinobatan, Albay. De Lima also cited the 2018 killing of radio broadcaster Joey Llana in Daraga, noting that attacks against media workers continue without sufficient accountability.
“Dumaradagdag ang mga biktima pero walang napapanagot!” De Lima said, lamenting the continuing violence against journalists.
She described the killings as alarming, saying journalists and media personnel were being murdered as though such crimes had become normal, including in their own homes and communities and in broad daylight.
De Lima called for a prompt and fair investigation into Loterte’s killing, without any cover-up or protection for those involved. She also urged the public to share information that could help authorities identify the perpetrators.
Addressing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the former senator said the continued killings of journalists under his administration were unacceptable and called for stronger efforts to pursue and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The killings of journalists must stop. Press freedom must be defended, not silenced. Human rights must be upheld and protected. Justice must be served,” De Lima said.
She stressed that the killing of journalists not only silences media workers but also intimidates others seeking to expose the truth, describing such attacks as an assault on democracy.
