Philippine radio reporter Nestor Micator killed in drive-by shooting

Bangkok, May 27, 2026—Philippine authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of radio journalist Nestor Micator, identify and arrest those responsible, and ensure they are brought to full justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

Micator, a news reporter at the local Empire Radio Station, was shot and killed on May 21 by two unidentified men riding a motorcycle in front of a village hall in Malidegao town, Cotabato province, at around 7 p.m., according to multiple news reports.  

The journalist was declared dead on arrival from a gunshot wound to the head at Cruzado Medical Hospital. The assailants fled the scene on motorcycles without license plates, the same reports said.

“Journalist Nestor Micator’s brutal killing is an outrage and symptomatic of the unbroken cycle of impunity in the Philippines,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Until President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government shows it is serious about preventing and resolving media murders, these wanton killings will continue.”

Micator is the second Philippine journalist killed in the past month, following the shooting of RJ Nichole Ledesma on April 19 during a Philippine Army anti-insurgency operation in Negros Occidental province. CPJ research shows that the Philippines is consistently among the top nations worldwide where media murders go unresolved.

Micator’s widow, Ruvy, said that three people arrested in a previous drug bust had blamed Micator’s news reporting on police anti-drug operations for their arrests, according to an Inquirer.net report.

Police said they have identified three persons of interest, but are withholding their names while investigators build their case, the same report said. CCTV cameras near the crime scene were not functioning, police quoted in the report said.

Micator also served on a community board in Fort Pikit, which is in Malidegao town, involved in local conflict resolution, according to news reports

The Philippine National Police did not immediately respond to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.