CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — More than two years after blocktime anchor Federico "Ding" Gempesaw was killed, media workers in Northern Mindanao are once again demanding justice, highlighting that the case remains unresolved and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers facing journalists in the region.
The Cagayan de Oro Chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) announced that it will make Gempesaw’s case the centerpiece of this year’s observance of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2.
Re-elected NUJP Cagayan de Oro Chairperson Franck Dick Rosete said the annual commemoration aims to keep sustained pressure on authorities to fully investigate and prosecute those responsible for the blocktime anchor's death. Even after Cocpo nabs Gempesaw assassin during follow-up police operations, Rosete pointed out that the ultimate mastermind behind the hit has yet to be held accountable in court.
Although Cocpo declares Gempesaw murder work-related during their initial investigation, to this day, no mastermind has been jailed or brought to justice," Rosete said in the local dialect.
Observed globally every November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists draws attention to attacks on media practitioners worldwide while calling on governments to hold perpetrators accountable.
"Police classified this as a work-related killing, but to this day, no mastermind has been jailed or brought to justice," Rosete said in the local dialect.
Rosete emphasized that revisiting the case forms part of NUJP’s broader campaign to maintain public awareness around unresolved media attacks, ensuring that the Call for justice snowballs in Oro propagandist's killing across regional and national civil society groups.
Alongside renewing their demand for accountability, the chapter's newly elected leadership pledged to continue prioritizing the safety, welfare, and solidarity of media workers across Northern Mindanao.
The incident sent shockwaves through the local press after former Emano propagandist shot dead near his residence in Carmen. Gempesaw, a Misamis Oriental-based blocktime anchor and former city hall administrator who hosted political commentary programs, was ambushed by armed assailants. Media organizations have long maintained that his killing was directly connected to his hard-hitting broadcasts, making his death one of Northern Mindanao's most prominent unresolved media cases.Media organizations have long maintained that his killing was directly connected to his hard-hitting broadcasts.
His death remains one of Northern Mindanao's most prominent unresolved media cases.
The NUJP chapter noted that specific details and schedules for its November activities will be announced in the coming months.
The newly elected officers of the NUJP Cagayan de Oro Chapter include Chairperson Franck Dick Rosete, Vice Chairperson Shiela Mae Butlig, Secretary Anne Jane Duhaylungsod, Treasurer Cheleste Simene-Jomaya, and Safety Officer Bobby Lagsa.
