| Media groups condemn shooting of Cuesta |
| Written by Eldie S. Aguirre | |
| Tuesday, 05 August 2008 | |
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Various media organizations in General Santos City and Davao del Sur have issued statements to condemn the barbaric attempt to kill another broadcast journalist shortly before 5 p.m. on Monday.
Dennis Cuesta, program director and anchorman of a primetime public affairs program in RMN-General Santos City is still in critical condition inside the St. Elizabeth Hospital in the city.
Cuesta sustained gunshot wounds in the head, shoulder, feet and stomach.
The Tri-Media Association of Davao del Sur (Trimads); Davao del Sur PNP Press Corps; Samahan ng mga Mamamahayag at Brodkaster, Incorporated (SMBI-GenSan); and PRO-12 Press Corps (GenSan) were in unison in condemning the dastardly act of the assassins in their attempt to kill Cuesta.
The said media organizations call for the speedy investigation of the attack against Cuesta as it urged authorities to conduct a thorough probe for the motive behind the shooting incident and bring the suspects before the court of law in the soonest possible time.
They are also asking those who have witnessed the shooting incident that took place near the Gaisano Mall in General Santos City to come out in the open and help the investigators in solving the crime.
The Tri-Media Association of Davao del Sur (Trimads) its press statement strongly condemned the incident and considered it as another attempt to silence journalists from exercising its duties and responsibilities.
“We could not be intimidated by such cowardly act of trying to eliminate our colleagues in the media profession. We remain firm in pursuing our quest for justice and fairness even if this would cost our lives,” Trimads was quoted as saying.
The media entities are also praying he would survive.
Cuesta is a resident of Digos City serving as field reporter in Davao del Sur for RMN-Davao City prior to his re-assignment in RMN-General Santos City where he was promoted as program director and anchorman of a public affairs program.
Bobby Flores, another media practitioner and the companion of Cuesta when they alighted from the station’s service vehicle few meters away from Gaisano Mall in General Santos City, said in a radio interview they were walking abreast en route to Cuesta’s boarding house when he heard multiple gun bursts.
“I was surprised upon seeing Dennis (Cuesta) slumped at the ground. I thought it was just an accidental firing since he also has a gun. I only knew he was shot when witnesses shouted at us that we were shot,” Flores said.
Flores further said Cuesta sought for his help and said he was hit in the head and asked to bring him to the nearest hospital.
“It took few minutes before Dennis was transported to the hospital since the bystanders were hesitant to come near us. Hence, Dennis loss lots of blood,” Flores said.
Flores said he could not ascertain who fired the gun since it came from behind their back, but some witnesses told him the suspects were riding a motorcycle when they were fired upon.
Officers and members of Tri-Media Association of Davao del Sur (Trimads); Radio Print and Media Association (RPMA); and PNP Press Corps of Davao del Sur; all based in Digos City signing a consolidated manifesto condemning the shooting of RMN-General Santos City broadcaster Dennis Cuesta who is now in critical condition inside St. Elizabeth Hospital. Cuesta is a resident of Digos City and an active member of these media organizations. |