Suspect in Journalist Candelario Cayona's Murder Arrested

Source: Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
June 5, 2002

On 28 May 2002, a suspect in a journalist's murder that occurred almost a year ago was arrested in Zamboanga City, Southern Philippines, the Metro Manila daily "Malaya" reported on 30 May.

Abduwarid Adda, accused of killing Candelario Cayona on 30 May 2001, was arrested during a raid in Jolo island. Adda had been identified by police as Cayona's killer as early as June 2001.

Adda, an alleged contract killer, has also been linked by the police to the murder of journalist Rey Bancairin in 1998 (see IFEX alert of 31 March 1998).

Cayona, a commentator for dxLL Radyo Ukay, was on his way to work by motorcycle when two unidentified assailants shot him. He died on the spot.

His radio programmes broadcasted complaints and conducted informal surveys on current issues. Colleagues said that his highly critical commentaries had angered those targeted on his programmes, including members of the police and military, local government officials, illegal gamblers and Muslim rebels.

Cayona was the third broadcaster killed in 2001 in the Philippines. Two other journalists based in the southern provinces of the Philippines, Rolando Ureta of dyKR in Aklan province and Muhammad Yusop of rxID in Pagadian City, were also killed last year.