Philippines: Radio broadcaster shot dead

Jhannah Villegas, a hard-hitting radio broadcaster in Maguindanao province of southern Philippines was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Good Friday.

If her killing is related to her work, she would be the 24th Philippine journalist to be killed since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in 2016.

Villegas, 38, worked as a reporter for community newspaper Sagad and Bugso as well as a blocktimer broadcaster for Radyo Ukay in Kidapawan city, North Cotabato province and Energy FM 106.7 radio in Manila.

A known critic of local officials, she also headed Mindanao Balita, an online news blog covering local political events across the region.

According to her husband, she had received a death threat on Thursday night. She was attacked at her home by three armed men who shot her at close range.

The Philippines is considered one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists. Since 1992, about 90 Philippine journalists have been killed because of their work, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

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