Crispin Perez

DWDO Radio

June 9, 2009, in San Jose, Philippines

An unidentified attacker stabbed and fatally shot Perez in San Jose, province of Mindoro Occidental, according to local and international news reports.

The attack took place after Perez's morning show on local DWDO Radio, according to the reports. The perpetrator pretended to seek advice from Perez, killed him during their conversation, then fled on a motorcycle, according to the reports. Perez, a lawyer and former politician, was declared dead on arrival at the local hospital.

Perez's widow, who witnessed the attack, identified a local police official who is also a bodyguard for a local politician as the gunman, according to local press freedom group Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), which shared their research on the case with CPJ in Manila in July. Local journalists believe Perez was killed because his radio program had discussed irregularities in local mining and electricity projects. 

Medium: Radio

Job: Columnist / Commentator

Beats Covered: Corruption

Gender: Male

Local or Foreign: Local

Freelance: No

Type of Death: Murder

Suspected Source of Fire: Government Officials

Impunity: Yes

Taken Captive: No

Tortured: No

Threatened: No