Catholic Broadcaster Urges Justice after Radio Technician Shot Dead in Southern Philippines

A longtime radio technician of a Catholic-run broadcasting network was shot dead on his way to work in Maguindanao del Norte, a province in the southern Philippines, prompting calls for a swift and impartial investigation.

Dennis Pido, 57, was gunned down on the afternoon of July 15 while traveling to the DXMS/DXOL radio station in Sultan Kudarat town, where he had served for many years as a radio technician.

According to an initial police report, unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle shot Pido at around 4 p.m. in Barangay Limbo, Sultan Kudarat. He sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

Following the killing, the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp. (NDBC) condemned the attack and called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

Oblate Fr. Rockmoore Saniel, NDBC chief executive officer, denounced the killing and urged law enforcement authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

"Violence has no place in a civilized and democratic society," Fr. Saniel said in a statement.

He appealed to investigators to pursue every available lead, identify all those involved, and prosecute them under the law. He also urged anyone with information about the attack to cooperate with authorities, saying justice depends on truth, accountability, and the community's commitment to the rule of law.

Saniel described Pido as a dedicated employee whose work helped sustain the station's mission of informing and serving the public.

"As we grieve, we remember Dennis not only as a valued employee but as a beloved colleague and friend whose dedication and commitment touched many lives," he said.

DXMS/DXOL, operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is widely recognized as a pioneer of peace and conflict-sensitive broadcast journalism in Mindanao.

The station's staff and the entire NDBC family extended their condolences to Pido's family and pledged to stand with them in their pursuit of justice.