The Commission on Human Rights has dispatched a quick response team over the weekend to investigate the brazen killing of Orlando “Dondon” Dinoy who was shot multiple times by still-unidentified gunman on Saturday, 30 October.

Initial report suggests, based on circumstantial evidence, that the killing was premeditated. The victim was killed inside his rented apartment at Mother Ignacia Street in Poblacion Uno, Bansalan town past 6 pm. Currently, no motive for his killing has been established, but due to the nature of the crime and profession of the victim, CHR will be looking closely into his line of work and his previous contacts.

The Commission stands with the media community in denouncing this recent killing. It is especially disappointing that such incident occurs as we commemorate today, 2 November, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

Killings perpetrated against the media fosters a chilling effect and helps breed a climate of impunity. A silenced media hampers the free flow of information and deprives the Filipino citizenry of much-needed information critical for discernment in national affairs.

There is impunity when there is no accountability for crimes committed. CHR in the past six months has also taken cognizance and investigated other media killings, including as the ones perpetrated against Atty. Gilda Mahinay-Sipay, her husband Muhaimen Mohammed Sapie, and Renante “Rey” Cortes.

These killings remain open and unsolved.

We are hopeful that with the quick assembly of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) those responsible for this crime will be held to account. CHR for its part will continue to work with local authorities in investigating all potential leads.

We send our condolences to the victim’s families and loved ones.