The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) extends it deep

sympathy to the National Union of Journalists of the

Philippines (NUJP)

and the Philippines

media community following the accidental death of journalist Jojo Trajano on

June 4.

Local media said Trajano, a reporter for the Remate tabloid newspaper, was fatally shot while covering a police raid

on a suspected drug-dealing syndicate in Taytay

Town, Rizal

Province, near the Philippines capital, Manila. A police officer was also reportedly

killed in the crossfire.

“The killing of a colleague is huge blow to the Philippines media community,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“The death of Jojo Trajano again reinforces the need for media owners and

managers to ensure that all media personnel are provided with adequate

training, advice and safety equipment before they are sent out to report on potentially

volatile and dangerous situations.”

Journalists in the Philippines

contend with some of the most dangerous working conditions for the profession worldwide.

The IFJ joins the NUJP, an IFJ affiliate, in seeking assurances from the

managers and owners of all media outlets that every precaution and effort is

taken to protect the security and safety of journalists while on assignment and

in their travel to and from work.

For further

information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific

on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ

represents over 600,000 journalists in

120 countries worldwide