Advocate's Overview: Killing the messenger

By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW

May 3 is an important day for journalists worldwide. It is the World Press Freedom Day. Instead of celebrating however, journalists are more worried that press freedom is being suppressed and journalists are being killed, as worldwide records show.

In the Philippines, records show that the number of journalists killed in a given time is comparable to that in war torn countries. Since Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took power in 2001, 55 journalists were already extra-judicially killed. In these figures we share ten percent of the national data in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions.

Those killed here are the following journalists: Roger Mariano, an announcer of the DzJC, was ambushed in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte on July, 31, 2004; Stephen Omaois, a reporter of the Guru Press, was brutally killed by an alleged group of youth in Tabuk, Kalinga on November 26, 2004; Rogelio Villafuerte, a technician of DzEQ in Baguio City was shot to death by an alleged policeman on January 26, 2005; Romy Sanchez, a radio announcer in La Union and the Desk head of Northern Dispatch in the Ilocos region was killed in broad day light in Baguio City on March 9, 2005; and, Andres Acosta, an announcer of DzJC, was attacked by a knife-wielding man in Ilocos on December 21, 2006.

There was a lone journalist killed during ex-pres. Joseph Estrada’s time, Rey Pedronio, by members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, a para-military group now integrated by GMA in the Armed Forces and PNP. The killers were arrested and are now jailed in Muntinlupa. This is the only case considered solved in the region.

The cases of journalists killed during GMA have something in common: no justice yet for the victims and their families and threats are continuously experienced by their families and witnesses.

The case of Mariano, for instance, showed that the killers, including a police sergeant, were already arrested. Threats continue, however, against Mariano’s family as the alleged masterminds remain scot-free. Due to the threats, the case was transferred to Manila after the family petitioned the Supreme Court due.

In the case of Omaois, the culprits were identified and some arrested but still threats continue against the Omaois family. Villafuerte’s killer was arrested but there is no development on his case.

Sanchez’ killer was identified by the Baguio City police but until now the culprit remains scot-free. The police though, consider the case solved as they identified the gunman. However, there is no justice for the Sanchez survivors.

These journalists killed were the bread winners of their families. Their deaths had not only orphaned their children and widowed their wives but most they left their families struggling with the present economic crises. They continuously cry for justice.

For journalists, the killings of fellow media practitioners is not only a violation of the public’s right to know (or to be informed), but most of all it is the violation of the right to life! We join the families of these journalists killed in the call for justice for the victims and the call to stop political killings. This is our contribution to the World Press Freedom Day. #