User:Crtew/Christopher Iban Lozada

Christopher Iban Lozada, also known as Chris Rapido and Dok Chris, (July 9, 1988 – October 24, 2017), a radio operations manager, journalist, and host for Prime Broadcasting Network's DxBF show "Kuskos Batikos" in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Philippines, frequently reported about government corruption, but was threatened and then murdered.

Personal
Christopher Lozada was born July 9, 1988. He was from Tandag, Surigao del Sur and lived in Makati, Philippines. Lozada was 29 at the time of his murder. He lived with his girlfriend, Honey Faith Tuyco Indog, 19.

Career
Christopher Lozada was a well-known radio journalist and public figure. He served as the Vice President of Bislig City’s media association and the operation manager for DxBF Prime Broadcasting Network. Lozada held the host position for the radio show "Kuskos Batikos". Throughout his professional career, Lozado became an advocate for eliminating corruption within the government. In addition, Lozado also hosted an information program on health-related topics, for which he was called "Dok Chris."

Death
Earlier in September, Lozado complained to the Office of the Ombudsman about purchases of heavy equipment the Mayor Librado Navarro, and as a result the mayor and 11 others were fired. Christopher Iban Lozada had twice reported death threats to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security he had received via text messages on three separate occasion between September 26 and October 19. The task force had sent him a warning letter but Lozado was killed before he received it. An investigation was initiated after his murder. Former Mayor Navarro denied any involvement and claimed Lozado's mother was a relative of his. He did acknowledge that he had 3 libel charges brought against Lozado from his 2013 political campaign.

The murder of Christopher Lozada occurred while he was driving home in his Toyota Vios around 9:00 p.m. on October 24, 2017. A gray van with at least two gunmen inside ambushed Lozada and his girlfriend with gunfire from AK47 and M16 rifles at Purok 5 in Barangay Coleto, Bislig City. Later, both 7.62-mm and 5.56-mm caliber shells were recovered from the scene. In addition, witnesses were able to identify the van as a Toyota HiAce and its license plate number as SFJ 951, which directly tied the vehicle to Bislig City property. Lozada was shot multiple times in the chest and he was pronounced dead on the scene. His girlfriend, Tuyco, was rushed to the Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital where she was treated for injuries to her left shoulder.

Several months after the incident, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security identified a suspected gunman, Rolly Mahilum. Eyewitness testimony resulted in his identification and charges were filed against Mahilum. Rolly Mahilum was known to be the family driver and friend of Mayor Navarro. A warrant was issued for his arrest. The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 13 has also detained Felixberto Villosino Jr. as another suspect who used a Bislig City government vehicle for the ambush.

Context
The Philippines is known to be one of the most violent countries for working journalists. Since Ferdinand Marcos left office in 1986, over 177 journalists were killed in the Philippines. Before Lozado's murder in 2017, 4 journalists had already been killed during President Duterte's first term began in 2016. Those killed journalists were Larry Que on December 19, 2016, Joaquin Briones on March 13, Rudy Alicaway on August 6, and Leodoro Diaz on August 7. In addition, The previous seven attacks murders in Surigao del Sur have gone unpunished. Lozaro became the 178th journalist murdered.

While President Rodrigo Duterte has spoken disparagingly about journalists, he did sign an order to have a special task force investigate incidents that involve the killing of journalists. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security issued the following statement after Lozado's murder: "As a matter of policy, PTFoMS presumes Lozada's death as a media killing and falls under its mandate in relation to Administrative Order No. 1 (AO1) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers."

The Executive Director of the PTFoMS, USec. Jose Joel Sy Egco, along with spokesperson Harry Roque, addressed the issue of impunity after Lozado's murder.

Impact
Lozado's case was the only one of the 7 attacks to be investigated and bring charges against the suspects.

Reactions
Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said, "I condemn the murder of Christopher Iban Lozada. I call on the authorities to investigate this case. Impunity for crimes against media workers cannot be tolerated as it constitutes one of the most serious challenges to the safety of journalists and to countries’ efforts to protect them."

Mart Sambalud, chair of the Davao City chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said, "Lozada’s untimely death is a stark reminder that attacks against the media are still carried out with impunity."