IFJ Calls for Investigation into Death of Broadcaster in the Philippines

The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned over the latest murder of broadcaster Ruel Endrinal in the Philippines on 11 February 2004.

In a letter to the President of the Philippines, the IFJ has called for the authorities to properly
investigate the murder of Endrinal. “The situation in the Philippines is spinning out of control,” said IFJ President, Christopher Warren, today.

Endrinal was a blocktimer and political commentator on radio station DZRC in Legazpi City, Albay
Province in the eastern Philippines. Endrinal was killed when two unidentified gunmen shot him in
the foot, head and body, while leaving his home on his way to work. Family members of Endrinal have reported that he received death threats on previous occasions and attribute his murder to his on-air criticism of local politicians.

“The IFJ deeply regrets this loss, and we are very concerned at the intolerable level of violence
against journalists in the Philippines,” said Warren.

The IFJ says that Endrinal is the 44th journalist to be killed in the Philippines since 1986 and all 44 cases remain open with no arrests to date. This latest attack follows the 2003 record death toll of seven journalists in the Philippines in one year.

“The IFJ is deeply concerned by the continuing trend of violence used to silence the media in the
Philippines”. “Justice for the victims and their families is long overdue and it is essential that the authorities take their responsibilities seriously and work to ensure the safety of all journalists and media workers in the Philippines,” said Warren.

For further information, please contact Christopher Warren on +61 411 757 668
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries

PROTEST LETTER

16 February 2004
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Malacanang Palace
Republic of the Philippines
Via email: [email protected]

Dear President,

The International Federation of Journalists, the global organisation of journalists, representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is gravely concerned over the murder of broadcast journalist Ruel Endrinal.

According to our information, on 11 January 2004, Mr Endrinal, a blocktimer at DZRC-AM station and host of a daily political commentary morning program MBA sa DZRC, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen as he was leaving his house traveling to work. Reports from family members and colleagues attribute the killing to his on-air criticism of local politicians and claim that he had previously received death threats.

Ruel Endrinal is the first journalist to be killed in the Philippines in 2004, after the killings of seven journalists in the Philippines in 2003. Endrinal is the 44th journalist to be killed in the
Philippines since 1986. According to our information, there have been no successful prosecutions to date in any of the 44 cases.

The situation in the Philippines is clearly out of control and the IFJ views this situation with the
highest level of concern. We are deeply concerned by the current trend of using violence to attempt to silence the media in the Philippines.

The IFJ is calling on the Government of the Philippines to launch a full investigation into the death of Ruel Endrinal. The killing of journalists is the most severe attack on press freedom and
democracy and must not be allowed to continue.


Yours sincerely,


Christopher Warren
President, IFJ


Recommended action:

Send appeals:

  • Expressing deep concern over the murder of Ruel Endrinal
  • Urging the Government of the Philippines to launch a full investigation into the murder as
    well as the pattern of journalists’ murdered over the past two decades
  • Urging the Government of the Philippines to ensure press freedom and safety of all
    journalists in the Philippines

    Appeals:

    President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
    Malacanang Palace
    Republic of the Philippines
    Via email: [email protected]