Filipino scribe shot dead, PEC demands authentic probe and justice
Geneva, Rongili Barta: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expressed shock over the murder of Filipino radio scribe Nestor Micator and demanded justice following an authentic probe into the incident. The news anchor and commentator of D’Empire Radio in the southern Philippines was shot dead by two unknown assailants in Malidegao locality of Cotabato on 21 May. Nestor (56) along with his wife was riding on a motorcycle when the gunmen attacked them. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. His wife is recovering from injuries.
“PEC, while condemning the murder of Nestor Micator, reminds that the Philippines becomes a nation with impunity to journo-murderers. Nestor is the third journo-victim in his country and 32nd across the world since 1 January 2026. We hope the authorities will go for an all-out action to nab the culprits and punish under the law,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (pressemblem.ch). PEC’s south and southeast Asian representative Nava Thakuria informed that Nestor was also serving as a member of the village council in Fort Pikit, which usually takes initiatives to resolve various local conflicts and issues among the villagers.
The Catholic-majority nation earlier reported a suspected murder of another radio scribe (Nichole Ledesma, 30), who worked as the chief editor of online media outlet Paghimutad-Negros and a regional coordinator of Alternative Media Network that focuses on land, labour, displacement over renewable energy mission in the island nation. Nichole, also known as a poet and human rights activist, was among a group of people who were killed during an anti-insurgency operation in Toboso locality on 19 April by the security personnel.