The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) calls on the Government of the Philippines to take action to protect
journalists after a second attempted murder in two weeks.
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an
IFJ affiliate, a gunman tried to
kill Radyo Ukay journalist Ronaldo Doong in Davao City
on February 28. Doong escaped death when his attacker’s gun failed to fire.
The attacker,
threatening Doong he would face more harm if he did not stop broadcasting, then kicked the broadcaster’s motorcycle, causing him and his passenger to fall to the
ground, the NUJP
said.
In a statement on March 1, the NUJP
noted that murders of broadcast journalists continue without major official
intervention, and it demanded the Government
provide greater support.
“This administration’s silence and
inaction are, at best, an appalling apathy to the violation of our rights
and those of the public we serve and,
at worst, a silent approval of the
ultimate form of censorship,” the NUJP said.
The attack on Doong occurred hours
before the funeral of dxSY-AM journalist Ernie Rollin,
who was shot dead in a similar attack in Oroquieta City
on February 23.
Police admit they are yet to find leads
to Rollin’s murder, the NUJP reports.
Rollins is
the first journalist to be killed in the Philippines in 2009 and the 63rd
since President. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001.
Seven
journalists were murdered in the Philippines in 2008, four of whom
were radio commentators or broadcasters known for their investigative and
hard-hitting reporting.
“Now is the time for the
Philippine Government to demonstrate its condemnation of the wave of violence
against journalists by locating and capturing Doong’s attacker before another
potentially fatal incident occurs,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Doong is in serious danger. If the
Government does not respond promptly by providing protection to Doong, among others,
it will be sending a message to the attackers of journalists that it indirectly
consents to violence against journalists.”
The IFJ joins the NUJP in reminding the Government of the Philippines
of its responsibility to protect all citizens under Article 3 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which
states “everyone has the right to life,
liberty and security of person”.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents over 600,000 journalists in
120 countries worldwide