The recent attempt on the life of Radyo ni Juan Sation Manager is another incident in the growing trend of media harassment and violence. Benjie Caballero, who is also the current president of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Task Force on Media Security, was reportedly shot five times by two still unidentified assailants around 1:15 in the afternoon, 30 October 2019 in Tacurong City.

A vibrant democracy is one where media is free to operate and report news without threat or fear of violence. The alarming rise of incidences involving threats, harassment and violence to members of the media serves as a curtailment to the freedom of the press, expression and speech. Thus, the Commission strongly condemns violent actions towards journalists and members of the media. We urge the government to act on this case quickly to bring justice to the victim and his family. Furthermore, we wish to remind the public-at-large of the importance of non-violence in espousing our differing opinions.

CHR-Region XII has already dispatched a Quick Response Team to investigate the case.