Solon condemns journalist slay, wants swift arrest of killers

FILE: Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. on Monday condemned the killing of journalist Dennis Denora and called for the swift arrest of his killers. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephen Hickok/Released via Naval Surface Warriors/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

MANILA — Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. on Monday condemned the killing of journalist Dennis Denora and called for the swift arrest of his killers.

In a statement, Floirendo said the murder of Denora, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, underscores the threat media faces when “exposing the evils of society.”

“His assassination, which I strongly denounce and condemn, underscores the evil motive of certain individuals, whether public and private, who were hurt by his exposes,” Floirendo said.

“For this reason, the killers behind the ambush must promptly be arrested and the brains behind the crime identified,” he added.

Denora, publisher of community newspaper Trends and Times in Panabo City, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding suspects while he was in his car together with his driver, Mayonita Rivera.

The newspaper publisher was killed instantly while his driver survived the attack.

Floirendo vouched for Denora’s decency, integrity and strong commitment to seek the “journalistic truth”, noting that he has known the Davao newsman for over three decades.

The lawmaker stressed that the media does not deserve this kind of brutality.

“They only seek truth in the face of dangers and they must be respected for their advocacies. Only cowards kill press people, and only desperate persons submit to violence when their wicked ways are exposed,” he said.

Floirendo said press freedom must not be threatened especially by “persons who want to destabilize public safety.”

“Stop killing journalists, jail the killers, and expose the mastermind!” Floirendo said.