A radio broadcaster in the southern Philippines had been critically injured in the latest attack on journalists in the Philippines, authorities said yesterday. Alberto Martinez, who works for the Radyo Natin station, was shot in the back late on Sunday in the town of Kabacan, North Cotabato province, about 910 kilometers (565 miles) southeast of Manila, police said. Police Inspector Alberto Jungaya said the victim was on his way home from work when he was shot by an unidentified gunman in village of Osias. He was rushed to a hospital by villagers and was in stable condition. Investigators and media groups said the murder attempt could be related to Martinez's work as a journalist. They said he had received threats from unidentified people, but refused to elaborate. The 46-year-old Martinez, also a Protestant pastor, is reputed to be a hard-hitting community radio broadcaster. Last month, newspaper columnist Marlene Esperat became the third Filipino journalist killed this year. Thirteen journalists were killed here last year alone, giving the Philippines the dubious distinction as the world's second-deadliest place for media after Iraq.