Journalists Killed in 2004 - Motive Confirmed: Eldy Sablas (aka Eldy Gabinales)
- Document source:
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Date:
January 2005
Radio DXJR-FM
October 19, 2004, in Tandag, Philippines
An unidentified assailant shot Sablas three times from behind at about 10 a.m. as the radio commentator rode a three-wheeled motorcycle away from a supermarket in Surigao del Sur Province on the southern island of Mindanao.
Local journalists noted that Sablas, who hosted "Singgit sa mga Lungsuranon" (Cry of the People) on Radio DXJR-FM, was a strident critic of the drug trade and illegal gambling. Regional Police Chief Rene Elumbaring told The Associated Press that police were investigating the murder, which occurred in the town of Tandag, 510 miles (820 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Manila.
Local sources told CPJ that Sablas was likely killed in retaliation for his hard-hitting commentary about illegal gambling.
| Medium: | Radio |
| Job: | Broadcast Reporter |
| Beats Covered: | Crime |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | No |
| Type of Death: | Murder |
| Suspected Source of Fire: | Criminal Group |
| Impunity: | Yes |
| Taken Captive: | No |
| Tortured: | No |
| Threatened: | No |
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