SEVERAL lawmakers on Thursday urged the Aquino administration to address the increasing cases of media killings in the country.
Lakas Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte, chairman of the House independent minority bloc, said the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice should work double time to end the impunity against journalists.
“The poor handling of cases regarding killings of journalists is very evident and we should do something to solve the problem,” Romualdez was quoted in a statement issued after the murder of Batangas-based journalist Melinda Magsino on April 13.
“The killings of journalists are very lamentable and I condemn these in the strongest possible terms and authorities should run after perpetrators and unmask the masterminds [sic] to stop these continued violence against media persons,” Romualdez added.
Liberal Party Rep. Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental agreed.
“Suspects should be prosecuted with dispatch while the strong arm of the law should be applied,” Benitez said.
National Unity Party Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Cavite also demanded to “make accountable the perpetrators of media killings.”
The London-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) ranked the Philippines as the third most-dangerous country in the world for journalists in 2013.
According to INSI, Syria is the deadliest country for media workers for two consecutive years, followed by Iraq and the Philippines. A total of 14 journalists died in the Philippines in 2013.
A separate report by the Swiss-based Press Emblem Campaign ranked the Philippines as the seventh most-dangerous country for reporters in 2012.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
5 comments
Rep Romualdez is right, we should not let another journalist killed..
Hindi na nakakatuwa ang mga nangyayari sa ating mga mamamahayag. Dapat lang na magkaroon sila ng seguridad dahil sa sila ang naglalahad ng katotohanan sa taumbayan.
“The killings of journalists are very lamentable and I condemn these in the strongest possible terms and authorities should run after perpetrators and unmask the masterminds to stop these continued violence against media persons,” I totally agree with Rep Martin. The government should act upon this
This senseless murder highlights the challenges facing journalists across the Philippines. Hindi biro ang maging media men
DAPT KUMILOS NA ANG PALASYO BAGO PA MAUBOS ANG ATING MGA MAMAMAHAYAG .