Two gunmen shot Michael James Licuanan, a Fillipino reporter for Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro City, after he finished his evening radio program in Mindanao. Although Licuanan was in serious condition, he was able to take shelter in a fire station and underwent emergency surgery. At this writing he is in stable condition. Police recovered .45 caliber pistol shells but the two suspects remain at large. Licuanan’s colleagues suspected the attack occurred because of his critical commentaries on drug trafficking and local corruption. This shooting is the latest in a chain of assaults against journalists and further highlights the continuing failure of the government of President Aquino to try to better provide protection for Filipino journalists.
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Committee To Protect Journalists