VP Binay Condemns Negros Occidental Journalist Slay

BOSTON, Mass., August 26 — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Friday condemned the killing of former Negros Occidental broadcaster Neil Jimena.

“I have learned of the killing of Mr. Jimena and I condemn his death in the strongest possible terms and share in the grief of his family,” Binay said.

The Vice President is currently attending a two-week course on national security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

“The safety of our media practitioners is also an issue of national security because it involves press freedom,” he said.

“Freedom of the press is inherent in our constitution and is a symbol of our democracy. When this is threatened, it becomes a matter of national security,” Binay added.

He asked the Philippine National Police to act swiftly and “bring those responsible to face the full brunt of the law.”

Binay also said he has instructed his staff to keep him updated of developments in the investigation of Jimena’s death.

Jimena, the fourth journalist to be killed this year, was on his way home when he was gunned down by two still unidentified men on a motorcycle.

The Vice President, who was a former human rights lawyer during Martial Law, called on all Filipinos to respect human rights and the rule of law.