Broadcast media worker slain in Maguindanao del Norte gun attack

COTABATO CITY – A broadcast media worker of a Catholic-run radio station here was shot dead Tuesday afternoon by still unknown suspects in Maguindanao del Norte, with colleagues calling on authorities to bring swift justice to his violent death.

Killed was Dennis D. Pido, 56, a resident of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, and a broadcast media technician of the Catholic-run Radio Station DXMS-AM/DXOL-FM of the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC).

NDBC is owned by the missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

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Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said Pido was driving his Honda CRF 300 motorcycle on his way to work when an unidentified gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle shot him in Barangay Limbo, Sultan Kudarat town at about 3:50 p.m.

“The motive of the attack remained unknown,” Salanguit said in a statement, noting that the investigation is still ongoing on Wednesday.

Police investigators said the still unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects were seen tailing Pido. Upon reaching Barangay Limbo, he was shot four times from behind, with three bullets piercing through his chest.

Responding police officers rushed him to the Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

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Drema Quitayen Bravo, DXMS-AM/DXOL-FM station manager, condemned the attack against Pido.

“We are heartbroken that a hardworking media worker lost his life while simply on his way to work,” Bravo said.

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“This senseless act of violence has robbed a family of a beloved husband, father, son, and brother, and has deprived our station of a loyal employee who dedicated (at least) three decades of his life to broadcast media,” she added.

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“He was more than a broadcast media technician; he was a trusted colleague, a dependable teammate, and a cherished member of the NDBC family. His loss leaves an irreplaceable void in our station and in the hearts of everyone who knew him,” she said.

Oblate missionary Fr. Rockmoore Saniel, NDBC chief executive officer, urged the police and other concerned government agencies to conduct a prompt, impartial, and comprehensive investigation.

“We urge the authorities to pursue every available lead, identify all those responsible, and ensure that they are held fully accountable under the law,” Saniel said.

“Every life is precious, and every act of violence that takes an innocent life is an assault not only on the victim and their loved ones but also on the peace and security of our communities. BARMM is our home. Let us protect each other from all forms of violence and killings,” he added.

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Various media workers covering the Bangsamoro Region have condemned the attack against Pido.

Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Omar Sema also assailed the attack on the radio technician.

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“I consider the murder of Dennis Pido as an attack against the press and media. Justice must be served,” he said./coa