The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), in condemning the murder of radio commentator Crispin Perez on June 9.

According to the NUJP, Perez was returning home around 9am after broadcasting his morning show on dwDO in western Occidental Mindoro when he was attacked.

Witnesses said Perez was talking to an unidentified man in front of his house in Barangay 7, San Jose, when the man stabbed him and shot him with a .45 caliber gun before fleeing on a motorcycle, police reports said.

Perez was declared dead on arrival at hospital.

The NUJP reports that while Perez also held professional positions as a lawyer and former vice-governor of Occidental Mindoro, it was likely that his work as a radio broadcaster was the motive for the attack.

“Journalists face enormous challenges in reporting freely and defending media freedom in the Philippines, where the murders of media personnel are met with apathy from authorities and the Government,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“Perez’s murder fits the horrific pattern of systematic attacks on journalists in the Philippines.”

The IFJ joins the NUJP in welcoming news that police reports on Perez’s murder have been filed, and urges the authorities to conduct an immediate and investigation to ensure the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide