The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has dispatched a quick response operation the same day of the physical assault against radio broadcaster Florencio “Flo” Hervias on 7 October.
Initial reports reveal that a group of masked men, who allegedly pretended to be sanitation workers, mauled Hervias in broad daylight after leaving his workplace in La Paz District, Iloilo City.
Hervias sustained lacerations on his nose, mouth, and near his eyes, while his perpetrators, immediately fled the scene.
Hervias hosts the blocktime program “Banwa Binag-binaga” in DYRI Radio Mindanao Network.
He would later mention that the attack may be linked to the ongoing renovation of several public markets in the city.
CHR stands with the media community in denouncing all threats and attacks to press freedom.
“We thus express grave alarm on how this incident took place only mere days after the violent death of fellow radio broadcaster Percy Lapid. We trust that the Philippine National Police will investigate this matter with the same fervor and urgency. The Commission also echoes Hervias’ appeal to law enforcement officers to offer temporary assistance for his safety and security,” according to the commission’s statement.