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Journalist shot and killed in the Philippines
Edmund Sestoso who died on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
Edmund Sestoso, a broadcaster in Dumaguete City was shot on Monday, April 30, 2018. Following the attack, Sestoso was critically injured by five bullets to his chest and stomach. He died from his injuries on Tuesday May 1.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) deplore the murder of Edmund Sestoso, and reiterate calls to the Philippines Government to end the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists in the country.
Sestoso was a broadcaster on dyGB 91.7 FM with his daily programme, Tug-anan. He was on his way home after his program when he was shot multiple times. Following the attack, the gunmen also shot the tires of the pedicab which was going to take Sestoso to hospital. He died the following day.
Sestoso was the former Dumaguete City chapter chairperson of the NUJP.
He is the ninth journalist to be murdered under the Duterte Government, and the 182nd journalist killed in the Philippines since 1986. Sestoso is the 33rd journalist killed this year, with on average two journalists killed every week so far, as documented by the IFJ.
The NUJP said: "The brazenness of the attack on Edmund and that it happened only three days before we commemorate World Press Freedom Day, underscores how deeply the culture of impunity has rooted itself in our country, emboldening those who wish to silence not only the press but to control civic discourse in general by stamping out critical and dissenting voices. We demand justice for Edmund and for all silenced voices.”“We demand that government fulfill its obligation to protect the citizenry, uphold all basic democratic rights and stop vilifying those who freely express themselves. Nevertheless, we are certain that independent Philippine journalists will not be cowed, not by threats nor attacks, and will continue to serve the people’s right to know even as we advance the struggle for a truly free press,” said NUJP.
The IFJ general secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “The brutal murder of Edmund Sestoso is a deadly reminder of the turbulent and volatile environment that the media in the Philippines continues to operate within. The Philippines Government must take immediate action to end the culture of impunity that runs across the country, and end the killing of journalists.”