JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 31, 2021
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A local disc jockey for Kiss FM was shot dead in Tagbilaran City (Philippines) on March 27. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) have urged the Philippines police to investigate the death quickly and thoroughly.
Rizalino ‘Inday Rufing’ Torralba, 45, was killed inside Room 8 at the Backpackers’ Inn around 10:00 pm, in Mansasa, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The NUJP reported she died from a gunshot wound from an unknown caliber handgun.
Police said that Andrew Fontreras is suspected to have killed the radio presenter. Frontreras told police Rufing grabbed his gun, which was on the bed and allegedly fired it accidentally, killing the radio DJ instantly. Frontreras also claimed he was Rufing’s personal driver. He reported the incident and surrendered to police the next day, March 28.
An investigation was launched by police, which found Fontreras left their room at around 11:00 pm on the night of the incident. The Tagbilaran police said they couldn’t establish a specific motive yet but had already filed a murder complaint against Fontreras.
In a phone interview with Rappler, Police Lieutenant Colonel Mary Peralta said, “the investigation is still ongoing, and we still have witnesses to interview so we can establish a certain motive.”
The NUJP said: “Although it is unclear if her death was related to her work, NUJP hopes for justice in the case. The loss of one media worker is a loss to the community, especially at a time when accurate and timely information is most needed.”
According to the NUJP, Torralba is the 20th journalist killed under the Duterte administration.
The IFJ said: “We are saddened by the death of Inday Rufing and express deep condolences to her family and friends and call for a swift resolution to the case.”—IFJ media release?Photo: NUJP
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