AN END TO IMPUNITY “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986»

April 2005 Investigation: Vincent Brossel and Jean-François Julliard Reporters Without Borders International Secrétariat Asia Desk 5, rue Geoffroy Marie 75009 Paris-France Tél. (33) 1 44 83 84 70 Fax (33) 1 45 23 11 51 Email: [email protected] Web: www.rsf.org PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» communist New People’s Army(NPA) inthe clashes betweenthesecurity forces andthe lamic LiberationFront (MILF). There are also separatist movements,including theMoro Is- decades byfi of Mindanaohasalsobeen shakenforseveral island lan andtheSuluIslands).Thesouthern is activeinthesouthwestofcountry(Basi- which islinkedtothenebulousAl-Qaedaand rorist groups, especially theAbuSayyafgroup, between thesecurityforces and armedorter- tile environment thatistheresult ofclashes In severalregions, workinahos- journalists down sincethestartof2005. whom atleast32havereportedly beengunned against politicalandhumanrightsactivistsof broader andmore generalwaveofviolence These targeted murders havebeenpartofa vicious circle ofviolenceandimpunity. sure mustbesteppedupinorder tobreak the indifference. pres- Nationalandinternational more diewithoutrageous than50journalists least untilrecently. ThePhilippinestatehaslet any energetic reaction from theauthorities,at – onaveragethree ayear–hasfailedtoelicit the capital.Thiscontinuingseriesofmurders insomeregionsdependent journalism outside media. Butithasbecomehard topracticein- pact onthefree reporting styleofthenational This dramaticsituationhasnothadanyreal im- enjoy completeimpunity. of thosebehindthemurders, whocontinueto ders andbringthemtojustice.Notspeak arrest mostoftheperpetratorsthesemur- ability ofthepoliceandjudicialauthoritiesto fi Iraq, theformerYugoslavia orAlgeriahavehad ocratic country. Onlycountriesatwarsuchas These fi well knownforhercoverageofcorruption. 2005, including ists were murdered inthefi six ofthemin2004alone.Andthree journal- work sincethereturn todemocracyin1986, havebeenkilledbecauseoftheir 52 journalists freest inAsia,thepress isindanger. Atleast threat Althoughoneofthe againstajournalist. press reporting amurder, physicalattackor N gures thishigh.Worse still,perhaps,isthein- ot adaygoesbywithoutthePhilippine gures are exceptionallyhighforadem- ghting betweenthearmy and Marlene Esperat rst three monthsof , whowas hope thatthe terrible cycleofviolenceagainst and instigatorsofEsperat’s murder wouldbring ment. Thearrest andtrialoftheperpetrators Gloria Arroyo, thepoliceandjusticedepart- The Esperatmurder isareal testfor President inthePhilippines. journalists who haswrittenareport aboutthemurders of protect us?”saidDiosaLabisteofIloiloCity, arewomen journalists allindanger. Whocan ist whileshewasunderpoliceprotection, we in 2004andatotalof52since1986. registered killed “only”sixcasesofjournalists For thisreason, ReportersWithoutBorders on behalfofpress freedom willbeendangered. tion, orotherwisethecredibility ofourstruggle is convincedthatitvitaltomakethisdistinc- linked toextortionpractices.Theorganization andinsomeofthesecaseswerea journalist, motives were unrelated tothevictim’s workas in2004–the national FederationofJournalists cases –sevenofthe13registered bytheInter- emerged thatinanotinsignifi clarify themotivesofsomemurders. It Reporters WithoutBorders alsowantedto murdered journalists. police wouldstepuptheirworkinthecasesof Borders thatthejusticedepartmentand Lomibao, whopromised ReportersWithout Gonzalez andpolicedirector generalArturo cials theymetincludedjusticesecretary Raul gayan deOro andLagunaprovince. Theoffi went toManila,GeneralSantos,Tacurong, Ca- rights organizations andoffi families ofthemurdered human journalists, Philippines from 8to14Aprilmeetwiththe A ReportersWithoutBorders teamwenttothe island andinthecapital2004. in 2003andawaveofbombingsonMindanao May 2004.Shehadtofaceamilitarymutiny for corruptionin2001andwasre-elected in came topowerafterJosephEstrada’s removal On thepoliticalfront, President GloriaArroyo Visayas Islands. north oftheislandLuzonandsome Thesceneofthemurder

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investigative journal- of gunningdownan “If theyare capable arejournalists women. a highproportion of community, inwhich traumatized thepress Marlene Esperat,has ing, thatofjournalist der atthetimeofwrit- The mostrecent mur- cas Te team The cials. cant numberof 2 - PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» from herfi understand theimportance of thenewsmedia ment. Shealsousedtosay thatshebeganto corruption inMindanao’s agriculture depart- her campaigningagainstcorruption,especially inorderEsperat gotintojournalism topublicize Switzerland andCanada. offi murder, shemovedallher fi the endofletter. Two monthsbefore her never bestopthewillofLord,” shesaidat “I amready todieforthiscausebutyoucan erating hercommitmenttocombatcorruption. wrote toPresident Arroyo on14Februaryreit- Esperat suspectedshewasgoingtodie.She not leaveherhome. family. Heaccepted onconditionthatshedid could stayathomeandspendEasterwithhis liceman responsible forprotecting herthathe But ontheeveofhermurder, shetoldthepo- without oneortwoarmedpolicemenwithher. she wasstillindangerandneverwentout in early2003thatwasneversolved.Sheknew tion eversinceagrenade attackonherhome Esperat hadreceived constantpoliceprotec- on 9April. Tacurong (inthesouthwestofMindanaoisland) her coffi who are bothintheir80s,marched behind More than2,000people,includingherparents Rhynche Arcones, 23,whowasalsopresent. less gazeofhertwosonsanddaughter, eye. Shediedimmediately, underthehelp- lene’s head,andshotheronce,abovetheright drew arevolver from hisjacket,aimeditatMar- Erin Brockovich Brockovich Erin media’s news Philippine the of foretold Marlene Esperat–death this case. pable ofdoingtheirdutyuntilthebitterendin too longandonewondersiftheywillbeca- ippine authoritieshaveremained indifferent for the press wascomingtoanend.ButthePhil- murdered in1989 forcriticizinglocalpoliticians. (in thecentre ofthecountry),whowashimself manager of ce, andwasplanningto request visasfor n asitwastakentothecemeteryin rst husband, rst Radio Bombo-DYFM Radio dining room at7:30p.m. den byacap,entered the The killer, hisfacehalfhid- “Good evening,Madam,” Derek, 10.Thekillersaid, Jorge, 13,andJames with hertwosons,Kevin perat washavingdinner on 24March. MarleneEs- Severino Arcones les toherlawyer’s inIloiloCity , the the called “MadamWitness”forthelocalweekly, the endof2002,shebeganwritingacolumn lieved.” Santos, herlawyer, said:“Herdeath over, thepeopleimplicatedwillbevery re- her husbandorchildren donottakethem she hadfi what willhappenwiththe dozen orsocases A familymembersaid:“Now thatsheisdead, cian. Buttogosofaraskillher?” must haveupsetmore thanonenationalpoliti- chicken traffi national fi on localleadsalthoughMarlenehadimplicated identifi friend who didnotwanttobe based journalist the mostreason tokillher?” askedaManila- Angelo Montilla,andapoliceoffi nessmen, twoTacurong politiciansincluding parliamentary representative, twoManilabusi- al level,acabinetminister, anarmyoffi agriculture departmentoffi agriculture departmentinCotabatoCity, 14 had directly implicated:three offi out Borders compiledalistof25peopleshe Esperat hadbeenworkingon,ReportersWith- Taking accountofjustthemostrecent cases fi nalists from .Sheknewnolimits inher would share theinformationshehadwithjour- she wouldtalkaboutitontheradioor information inherweeklynewspapercolumn, As thatwasnotenough,shewouldreveal her Ombudsman incharge ofcorruptioncases. evidence, shewouldhandoverthefi embezzlement,” Santossaid.“Armedwiththe “She neverstoppedlookingfornewcasesof out Borders. geous citizenheard,” shetoldReportersWith- corruption, andtomakehervoiceasacoura- to defendsmallfarmerswhoare thevictimsof Santos. “Itenabledhertogetmore information, saidherlawyer,her workasajournalist, Nena perat attachedagreat dealofimportanceto cal FMradiostation She beganpresenting aprogramme onthelo- ght againstcorruption.” Midland Review Midland ed. “I’mafraidthepolicewillconcentrate gures. Thefertilizerscandalsandthe led withtheOmbudsman’s offi cking madethefront pagesand ThepublisherofMindlandReview

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PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» police foritspartcriticizedtheNationalBureau mediaries andinstigatorsare identifi perpetrators buttokeepgoinguntiltheinter- the policenottolimititsinvestigation Through thepress, thejusticeministryasked stigators.” their crime.We willcontinuetolookforthein- freedom isinvolved.Theyhaveconfessedto have givenitspecialattentionbecausepress perpetrators intheEsperatcase,”hesaid.“We April. “Iampleasedwiththearrest ofthefour suspects atanewsconference inManilaon12 terior ministerAngeloReyespresented thefour Accompanied bythepolicedirector general,in- perat. 120,000 pesos(about2,500euros) tokillEs- the foursuspectshadconfessedtoreceiving mortgaged,” hesaid.Healsoreported that people. “Shelivedhumblyandherhousewas possibility thatEsperathadbeenblackmailing investigator incharge ofthecase,ruledoutany instigator orinstigators.”Galapon,thepolice vehicle, andeyewitnesses.We justneedthe We havethekillers,murder weaponand investigation, despiteourlimitedresources. “We are optimisticabouttheoutcomeofthis Galapon atKoronadal, nearTacurong, hesaid: Reporters WithoutBorders metCol.Danilo the presumed gunman,JerryCabayag.When arrested inthe weekthatfollowed,including police on8April.Three more suspectswere suspects, RandiGrecia, himselfintothe turned mediately wentafterthemurderers. Oneofthe Investigation andDetectionGroup (CIDG)im- just three daysafterthemurder, theCriminal lice director general,whowenttoTacurong Pressed byGen.Lomibao,thenationalpo- her complaints.” hundreds ofthousandspesostowithdraw let herselfbeboughtalthoughshewasoffered tion. MarleneEsperatwasamodel.Shenever royo’s initsfi government must notbeinvain.ItisatestforGloriaAr- AngeloReyespresentsthesuspects

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sition.” murder holdstoohighapo- that thepersonbehindher will stopifthepolicesee “I’m afraidtheinvestigation Reporters WithoutBorders: One ofEsperat’s sisterstold identity,” thepolicedirector generalasked. tigation sohowcantheyknowtheinstigators’s participated intheautopsybutnotinves- partment offi supposedly behindthemurder, agriculture de- nouncing tothepress theidentityofperson the justicedepartment–forprematurely an- of Investigation(NBI)–whichcomesunder end. would disappearifimpunitywasbrought toan often citedasanexplanationforthesemurders Theculturekeeps turning. ofviolencethatis the mainreason whythecycleofpress killings been brought tojustice.Thistotalimpunityis hired killers.Noneoftheinstigatorshaseven ists slainsince1986were gunneddownby The overwhelmingmajorityofthe52journal- forinstigators impunity Complete The murders of Edgar Damalerio and Edgar Edgar and Damalerio Edgar of murders The identities ofthe possibleinstigators.“The po- nalists inManiladare togiveanycluesthe familiar withthecasessaid. Onlyafewjour- suspect namedbythewitnesses,” someone police, whoneverlookedany furtherthanthe Amoro andEdgarDamalerio exceptthelocal tity ofthepersonsbehindmurders ofEdgar “Everyone inPagadianhasanideaoftheiden- ro, isthesolesurvivingwitness. against Wapile. EdgarOngue,afriendofAmo- in 2002.Bothhadagreed totestifyincourt nated physically, Amoro in2005andLobitaña Jury LadicaLobitaña,were subsequentlyelimi- EdgarAmorokilling, journalist andmilitiaman persons whohired him.Two witnesses ofthe job, buthestillrefuses tonamethepersonor 100,000 pesos(about2,000euros) todothe Amoro – instigators who cannot be touched be cannot who instigators – Amoro cial SumailSekak.“TheNBIonly prison, wasallegedlypaid May 2002.Wapile, nowin at point-blankrangeon13 Wapile, whoshothimdead the policeoffi tion cases,didnotknow who wrote aboutcorrup- ) (in western nalist basedinPagadian Edgar Damalerio cer,Guillermo MMarlene Esperat a Thefamily of

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PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» of athree-year-old girl.“And,aboveall,itwill said Damalerio’s widow, Gemma,themother and preparation ofthetrial inaproper manner,” toCebu,protection forthewitnesses sure madepossiblethetransferoftrialfrom last nomore thanafewweeks.“Mediapres- be abletochange.Thetrialwasexpected list oftheirwitnesseswhichtheywillnolonger The prosecution anddefencebothpresented a get apostponementonprocedural grounds. after Wapile’s lawyershadtwicemanagedto Cebu, asafercityforwitnessesthanPagadian, initial hearingbefore JudgeRamonCodillain Wapile’s trialfi police havedonenothing.” implicated inEdgarAmoro’s murder. Butthe of Pagadian.Andmanyusthinkhewasalso but hebecameaspecialadvisertothemayor pen. Hewasdismissedfrom thepoliceforce ity orforobstructingjustice,butitdidn’t hap- rested himforcomplic- the NBIshouldhavear- identifi who didnotwanttobe the Damaleriofamily said someonecloseto ile eludetheauthorities,” helped GuillermoWap- from theoutsethe Asuri Hawani.“Right former localpolicechief Wapile’s policesuperior, overlooked therole of The authoritiesalso she added. was hisbodyguard,” questioned asWapile should alsohavebeen der. “Theformermayor after Damalerio’s mur- vestigation inPagadian that carriedoutanin- Coronel ofthePCIJ cal politics,”saidSheila team, whodominatelo- rilles husbandandwife activities oftheCe- have investigatedthe lice obviouslyshould ed. “Thepoliceor GemmaDamalerio

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tifi though hewasiden- policeman totrialal- bring thisPagadian than three yearsto But ithastakenmore she added. not dragontoolong,” ed from the fi life hangsbyathread. Proof thatevenafterthesuspect is carefultokeepthemessagesonhismobile. a thirdmurderattempton9February, Ongue trial. Heturneddowntheoffer. After surviving Guillermo Wapile, ifherefusedtotestifyinthe dollars byoneoftheunclessuspect, of threechildren,Onguewasoffered 10,000 that youarein .) A farmerandthefather but theothersknowyouhavemovedhomeand “If youdon Death threats bytelephonetextmessage not safeinPagadian. You knowthe (There aretwogroupslookingforyou. You are hen ugpuyokaynahebloclanaakatangub.” laag pagadian,kablonkasaisakagrupo,bal- nimu karmpads,bastaayawjudkumpyansa One said:“Duhakagrupoangmaghanting even morespeci protected bythejusticedepartment,received by mobilephone.Ongue,whoisnowbeing sent everyday, killersthreaten theirvictims where morethan10milliontextmessagesare nalist EdgarDamalerio Ongue, thelastsurvivingeye-witnessofjour- message receivedinDecember2004byEdgar the courtroom!” This wasthetelephonetext ʼ t dieoutside,youwillinside fi rst c messagesonhismobile. ʼ s murder. Inacountry threat intheform ofatelephonetextmessage. dian policechief,herhusband received adeath a fewdaysafterHawani’s dismissalasPaga- Amoro’s widowalsorevealed that in2002,just of thewitnessprotection programme. her sixchildren andwastakenunderthewing in Pagadian,”shesaid.Shefl open lettercriticizingthelackofrulelaw DXKP out Borders. “Duringhisprogramme on radio Pagadian,” ElviraAmoro toldReportersWith- to denouncecorruptionandsocialinjusticein and acourageousmanwhowascontinuing eliminated akeywitnessintheDamaleriocase gadian school.“Bykillingmyhusband,they Then Amoro wasgunned downoutsideaPa- equivalent of1,000euros tokillDamalerio. that alocalpoliceoffi murdered inAugust2002aftertellingtheNBI contract killer. First,JuryLadicaLobitañawas investigation anyfurtherthanthesuspected or nationalwillsinceMay2002topursuethe the tragicconsequenceoflackanylocal The physicaleliminationoftwowitnessesis eye-witness iskilled,thecasewillbeclosed.” programme’s offi lieve injustice.”Oneofthewitnessprotection Edgar Damalerio.Iampatientandstillbe- fi ve daysbefore hedied,read outan ʼ s arrest,his fi rstgroup cials putinbluntly:“Ifthelast cial hadoffered himthe press campaignbuthe tional andinternational himself inafterana- in Pagadian.Heturned had manyaccomplices doubt thatWapile has Ongue. There islittle witnesses, Amoro and moment bythetwo I amgoingtotestifyfor get me.Iliveinfear. But two groups ofkillersto adamant: “They’vesent tection programme, is ment’s witness pro- in thejusticedepart- Edgar Ongue,now The survivingwitness, journalist. colleague andfellow Amoro, Damalerio’s eliminated, oneofthem in havingtwowitnesses all, hehassucceeded of themurder. Worst of es andtheinstigators to namehisaccomplic- nocent andherefuses continues topleadin- ed Pagadianwith 5 PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» police. has neverbeendetainedorquestionedbythe Ambol, theothersuspectinAmoro murder, surveillance” byoneofhisassociates.Norhan on bail.Today, Maulanaisreportedly “under down thecharges sothathecouldbefreed gadian prosecutors haddeliberately played weeks before Amoro’s murder. OneofthePa- protected Maulanaandhewasreleased afew comed hisarrest ontheair. Butlocalfi offi previously beenarrested byaPagadianpolice murderers, contractkillerMadixMaulana,had Worse still,oneofAmoro’s twopresumed charge ofsecurityatthecityhall. not totestifybyHawani,whothenwasin then fl police aninitialstatementafterthemurder and traffi suelo, amunicipalpoliceoffi dozens ofwitnesses,includingSamuelPor- The gunmenshotAmoro inthepresence of run byaHawaniassociate. of Sikatuna,aprivately-ownedsecurityagency Political will Political precious lives.” “Your familyandyouwillpayforthiswithyour “You haveruinedourlives,”themessagesaid. inaction, theauthoritiesinManilafi days are numbered.” Aftertwodecadesof sage forthosewhomurder “Your journalists: tarian Union(IPU)inManilathatshehadames- royo toldanassemblyoftheInter-Parliamen- team’s arrivalinthePhilippines,President Ar- On theeveofReportersWithoutBorders modifying the law onthecarriageoffi early 2004,forexamplethe policesuggested that were quicklyrejected In byjournalists. initiallyproposedThe government solutions against themedia. voicing areadiness toputanendviolence to realize thegravityofsituationandtobe cer foranothershooting.Amoro hadwel- c control outsidetheschool.Hegave EdgarAmoro ed town.Hewasreportedly pressured

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entrance, whoare employees the twoguards postedatthe tered withthecomplicityof They couldonlyhaveen- Amoro, 46,taughtEnglish. were insidetheschoolwhere of thepolice.Thetwokillers acting withtheconnivance friends andpolicesuperiors was eliminatedbyWapile’s is abletoaffi Reporters WithoutBorders cerresponsible for rm thatAmoro nally seem nally rearms to gures cal radiostation 2004 of investigation intothemurder on 11February (in Albayprovince) on14Apriltorelaunch the ter Esperat’s murder. HealsowenttoLegazpi Lomibao, whowenttoTacurong three daysaf- mitment shownbytheheadofPNP, Gen. organization alsowelcomesthepersonalcom- moreolence againstjournalists effectively. The taken bytheauthoritiesinManillatocombatvi- Reporters WithoutBorders notedtheinitiatives porters WithoutBorders. order toprotect them,”Gen.LomibaotoldRe- mostatrisk,in to betteridentifythejournalists to reinforce thesystemoffi making investigationsmore dynamic.“We want providing betterprotection and forjournalists The PNPhasalsoestablishedmechanismsfor ineffectiveness. tions. Thepoliceblametheimpunityonjudicial knowledges thatonlyfi pects havebeenarrested since1986butitac- The “NewsmenTask Force” claimsthat37sus- up thispoint. cism oflocaloffi for hisdeathisthatitwasprompted by hiscriti- this group, althoughthemostlikelyexplanation or infi fi ing the1986and1989coupattempts,while wereThe policesaytwojournalists killeddur- deemed tohavebeenlinkedarmedclashes. supposedly eitherstillbeinginvestigatedorare have beenidentifi have solved30ofthe58casessince1986that The PhilippineNationalPolice(PNP)claimto hadbeensolvedsinceitscreation.journalists of thisunitsaid90percentthemurders of Borders representatives, thepersonincharge level. DuringameetingwithReportersWithout specifi murders andworkingwitha ofjournalists dinating from Manilainvestigationsintothe Force” inJanuary2004withthejobofcoor- The policealsocreated a“NewsmenTask capture ofsuspects. promisedthe government large rewards forthe care inorder toavoidprovoking violence.And tochecktheirinformationwithmorejournalist a presidential spokespersoncalledonradio defendthemselves.InMay2004, let journalists Noel Rosal. FrancisBichara and Legazpimayor governor behest oftheopposition.His targets included attacks onlocalpoliticians, oftenmadeatthe in themouth.Endrinalwasknown hisblistering ve otherswere killedbycommunistguerrillas ghting. ApolinarioPobedaisincludedin c taskforce foreachcaseatthelocal Rowell Endrinal DZRC cials. Thepoliceshouldclear ed. Theother28casesare whowasshotfi ve casesledtoconvic- , apresenter forthelo- nancial rewards and ve times 6 PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» dicial authorities are sometimes contradicted The expressions ofresolve bypoliceandju- held. the judicialauthoritiesbutno trialhasyetbeen ruption. Thepolicesenttheir conclusionsto accused himandotherlocaldignitariesofcor- chief, mastermindedthekillingofBinoya,who lieve Englis,aformerpoliceoffi but insistedontheirinnocence.Thepolicebe- themselves induringAugust land), alsoturned Binoya two suspectsintheJune2004murder of Ephraim “Toto” EnglisandAlfonsoToquero, They havenotyetbeentried. himself intotheauthoritieson2September. sumed instigator, EdilbertoMendoza,turned brother, whowitnessedthemurder. Thepre- of Manila).Garcia wasidentifi respondent forradio the 5Augustmurder of Michael Garcia, acontractkillersuspectedof At theendofAugust2004,policedetained Without Borders. ily,” explainedtoReporters aLucena journalist family inoppositiontothepowerfulTalaga fam- nalist, hedefendedtheinterests oftheOjeda identifying localdrugtraffi listeners tosendhimtelephonetextmessages competence. InAugust2002,hebeganurging accusing localoffi nalism onthelocalradiostation, Pobeda, 35,practisedavirulentstyleofjour- the murder. and thepolicehasnotidentifi held, buttheyhavenotyetbeenbrought totrial mayor ofLucena.Thethree suspectsare being Talaga family, oneofwhosemembersisthe (southeast ofManila).Theyare alllinkedtothe shot seventimeson17May2003nearLucena ly” Pobeda the three presumed killersof The efforts of thepolicealsoledtoarrest of vestigated thecase. whohasin- Dean Bernardo, aManilajournalist scathing commentsaboutlocalpolitics,”said there isnotdoubthewaskilledbecauseofhis sold hisservicestooppositionpoliticiansbut becausehe drinal wasnotamodeljournalist identifi not beenarrested andtheinvestigationhasnot Boy Zapanta.Butayearlater, Arizobalhasstill in thiscase,ClaritoArizobal,alsoknownas The policequicklyidentifi newspaper ed thosebehindthemurder. “RowellEn- inGeneralSantos(onMindanaois- Bulgar , aradiocommentatorwhowas cials ofembezzlementorin- inBatangasprovince (south DZRH Arnel Manalo ed thecontractkiller ckers. “Asajour- andthetabloid ed thosebehind Apolinario “Pol- e b Manalo’s by ed cer andvillage DWTI , acor- , often Ely operating intheDavaoregion. idiots aftertheysaidthere were deathsquads ofthePhilippinesas tional UnionofJournalists andtheNa- national FederationofJournalists More recently, themayordescribedInter- opponents, wasmurdered inSeptember2003. a newsprogramme onlocalradio The caseof perpetrators. on themurder, neveridentifi who waitedtwoweeksbefore makingareport drug traffi gunned downbecauseofhisinvestigationsinto Ramirez, thefatheroftwo-year-old child, was 28 April2003. radio presenter was thefi city, thebiggestonislandofMindanao.He whoquestionthewayherunshis journalists tial adviseronsecuritymatters,oftencriticizes the mayorofDavao,whoisalsoapresiden- or advisers.Forexample,RodrigoDuterte, by thestatementsofPresident Arroyo’s allies len Villanueva radio presenter inAlbayprovince, J Ten monthsbefore Endrinal’s murder, another the 1986-2002period. solved or“badlysolved”casesdatebackto with previous offi national police.Theresponsibility forthislies a lackofwilloreffectiveness onthepartof successfully concluded,aboveallbecauseof havenotbeen of the52killingsjournalists fi Task Force,” ReportersWithoutBorders con- cess ratesincethecreation ofthe“Newsmen Despite thePNP’s claimsofa90percentsuc- concluded At least 42cases have notbeen eraman withthelocalstation Rico Ramirez progress intheinvestigationintomurder of In Mindanao,thepolicenevermadeany ambitions. guerrillas orbecauseofhisregional electoral cause ofpresumed linkswiththecommunist ists inLegazpisayhemayhavebeenkilledbe- not foundoutwhokilledhimorwhy. Journal- grammes. Two yearslater, thepolicestillhave with listenersontheairandhisculturalpro- was widelyappreciated forhisconversations said Villanueva hadnotbeenthreatened and Francisco (AgusandelNorteprovince). was shotfi TV TV rmed thattheinvestigationsofatleast42 manager MaxTutor alwaysmaintainedthat rst personeveryonethoughtofwhen cking intheregion. Thelocalpolice, ve timeson20August 2003inSan Nelson Nadura , a25-year-old reporter andcam- of DZBB Juan Pala cials sincemostoftheun- DZBB managerHenryMaceda , wasgunneddownon , oneofhispolitical ed themotives or , thepresenter of DXSF TV DXSF DYME ohn Be- , who DXSF DXSF 7 who PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» any possibilityotherthananNPA killing. a “Task Force Nadura”butneverconsidered porters WithoutBorders thatthepolicesetup he wasonceamember. ColleaguestoldRe- las oftheNewPeople’s Army(NPA), ofwhich lice insistedhewasshotbycommunistguerril- police aftertheshockoffi Manila) neverreceived anyattentionfrom the 2003 ontheislandofMasbate(southeast was shotfi local in Tacurong (onMindanao island)on10April, While theReportersWithout Borders teamwas violence Continual Amoro (2005). Mariano, GeneBoydLumawag(2004),Edgar Nelson Nadura(2003),RowellEndrinal,Roger gorio, NoelVillarante, RicoRamirez, JuanPala, Villanueva, ApolinarioPobeda,BonifacioGre- Damalerio, SonnyAlcantara(2002),JohnBelen Edgar nis Ramos(2001),BenjalineHernandez, sop, RolandoUreta, CandelarioCayona,Den- Yap Yu, OlimpioJalapit(2000),MuhammadYu- Bancarin, DominadorBentulan(1998),William Reyes (1996),RegaladoMabazza(1997),Rey (1992), RomeoLegaspi(1993),Ferdinand Greg Hapalla,GloriaMartin,DaniloVergara Ladrigan (1990),NesimoPaulinToling (1991), Eddie Talan (1989),ReynaldoCatinding,Jean erino Arcones, JosefAldeguerNava(1988), (1987), NoelMiranda,RubenManrigue,Sev- Leo Palo,Narciso Balani,RogelioSagado bazza, Wilfredo Vicoy (1986),DionisoJoaquin, instigators) inthefollowingcases:PeteMa- failure tomakearrests orafailure toidentify factory (becauseofbotchedinvestigations,a of thepolicehasbeeninsuffi Reporters WithoutBorders thinksthework local politicians. pointed outthathehadoftencriticisedseveral denied doingit.Nadura’s wifeandfourchildren manager ChangEncisoconfi tres away. Martinez, whoisalsoaProtestant was shotandseriouslywounded afewkilome- Radyo Natin Radyo ve timesand killedon2December presenter rmed thattheNPA Alberto Martinez rst fewdays.Po- cient orunsatis- DYME

REUTERS / Erik de Castro

presenter on drug traffi sayap (Mindanao)becauseofhisreports on spondent three shotswere fi Negros, survivedamurder attemptinwhich station inBacolodCityonthecentralislandof Luzon. In all, no less than 24 journalists have Luzon. Inall, no lessthan24journalists 10 havebeenkilledinthenorth oftheisland and itssurrounding region inthelast 18years, only three havebeenkilledinManila journalists 1986 tookplaceonMindanao island.While killedsince Half ofthe52casesjournalists tough, butneverboring.” anao. You know, is beingmarriedtoajournalist three murder attemptsontheislandofMind- to thepermanentdanger:“Hehassurvived and humanrightsactivistJoeyLozanoreferred the media.Thewifeofdocumentaryfi where violenceisanintrinsicpartofdailylifefor the mosttroubled areas ofMindanaoisland, Many oftheattacksagainstpress occurin Mindanao Truck News Truck Mindanao fl in Mindanaountilthiskillerisidentifi know. AllIknowisthatcannotcarryonliving province haveanythingtodowithit?Idon’t threats. Didmyarticlesonillegallogginginthe made anyarrest. “I’dneverreceived anydirect The localpoliceandtheNBIhavenotsofar to fi me andshotagainthree times.Iwasable I wasstillstandingsoran.Thekillerchased tried toshootmeagain,buthisgunjammed. said. “Hewoundedmeintheleftshoulderand me andfi wearing ahelmetandsunglassesapproached ing tothehomeofalocalpoliticianwhenman ders inManila,where hetookrefuge. “Iwasgo- described theattacktoReportersWithoutBor- tempt inDavaoNorteprovince (Mindanao).He September, forexample, in2004–atotalof20.In tacks onjournalists number ofattemptedmurders andphysicalat- Reporters WithoutBorders registered arecord Quindao A fewweeksearlier, on28January, Without Borders were alsosceptical. questionedbyReporters it. Localjournalists neighbour ofbeinghisassailants.Bothdenied his hospitalbed,heaccusedasoldierand umn andhecouldbeparalysedforlife.From survived, butoneoftheshotshithisspinalcol- communist andIslamistarmedmovements.He drug traffi pastor, usedtospeakoutontheair, criticizing ee myhometownbutatleastI’malive.” nd refuge inaclosedbuildingsohe left.” red witha45calibre revolver,” Quindao cking andtheinfl , theeditorofregional weekly cking. In November,In cking. Gary Fuertas Progressive Channel Progressive red athiscar. , survivedamurder at- wasbeatenupinMid- Bombo Radyo Bombo uence oftheregion’s Eric Tenerife , acableTV ed. Ihadto lmmaker Maximo corre- 8 , a PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» per, the editor ofthePagadian-basedregional newspa- own restaurants,” delaCruz,the saidHernan mediaor work foranNGO,orinternational “I rear chickens,whilesomeofmycolleagues is evenharder tosurviveonalocalpress salary. more than5,000pesos(100dollars)amonth.It correspondents are badlypaid,rarely receiving reasonably onjustonesalary. Nationalpress It isimpossibleforaprovincial tolive journalist more than20years. been coveringthenewsonMindanaoislandfor said Froilan Gallardo, whohas aphotojournalist es –tobepoor, tobecorruptorkilled,” intheprovinces“Journalists havethree choic- hat Journalists with more than one venge onthosewhoopposedthemtheair.” Afterwards, bothlosersandwinnerstakere- dio commentatorsrailagainstthecandidates, explained: “Before andduringtheelections,ra- basedinIloiloCity,Diosa Labiste,ajournalist ment, wasthedeadliestyearforpress. elections were heldforpresident andparlia- in violencetheelectionperiod.2004,when Reporters WithoutBorders alsonotedasurge Atleastthedon’tjournalists. hire hitmen.” or bringpressure tobearremove bothersome the northofisland.“Theymakeacomplaint ent foranationaldailywholivesinthiscity cians are more civilized,”saidthecorrespond- the island.“Here, inCagayandeOro, ourpoliti- gion, thesituationisnotsamethroughout Although Mindanaoisthemostdangerous re- Visayas Islands,atleastsixhavebeenkilled. to democracy, whileinthecentralpartof been killedonMindanaoislandsincethereturn police. ity asaninformant,especially forthenarcotics possibly thathisdeathwas linkedtohisactiv- ment embezzlement.Butone cannotruleout traffi he waskilledbecauseofhisarticlesondrug colleagues andrelatives are stillconvincedthat guna province), wasalso apoliceinformer. He neck on19August2003inSantaCruz(inLa- Villarante years hadasecondoreventhird job. killedinthepart20 Most ofthejournalists (Mindanao). a nationaldailywholivesinCagayandeOro money andpower,” saidthecorrespondent of ness. We are atthemercy ofallthose whohave cking, illegalgamblingandlocalgovern- Zamboanga Scribe Zamboanga , forexample,whowasshotinthe . “Thisisourweak- Noel dio the club’s president and former managerofra- their memberstocarryfi Mindanao), whooffi northern charge atthepress clubinCagayandeOro (in This argument isbrushedasidebythosein parts, condemnthispractice. organizations, counter- liketheirinternational tion againstattack.Alllocalpress freedom leagues whoalwayscarryfi saytheyhavecol- Many Philippinejournalists againstFirearms fear ing armedis the onlywayforustocontinue but itisnotrealistic orapplicablehere. Be- ganizations onthisissueis fi fi also strongly carrying infavourofjournalists Former press clubpresident JerryOrcullo is ready todefendhimself. clearly heard andpeoplewouldknowhewas the airsonoiseofcharger couldbe regularMindanao journalist rackedhisgunon That’s protection.” Healsosaidawell-known we were armedandthatweknewhowtofi Reporters WithoutBorders. “Sopeopleknew training sessionsinshooting,”heexplainedto werewe journalists armedandwere holding my radiostation,Iannouncedontheairthat get fi political opponent,”afriendofVillarante said. got from thelawyerofprovincial governor’s information –perhapsforpaymentwhichhe did anyinvestigation,butheregularly reported he talkedfavourablywhileontheair. “Herarely the personalitiesheinterviewedoraboutwhom a localFMradiostationandgothismoneyfrom that istosay, herented airtimebythehouron activities.Hewasa“blocktimer,”journalistic his needsandthoseoffamilyjustfrom his that Villarante wouldnothavebeenabletomeet Reporters WithoutBorders wasabletoconfi sumed killerofajournalist. (about 4,000euros) forhavingarrested thepre- policemen shared areward of200,000pesos former SantaCruzpolicechiefandthree other for lackofevidence.Despitetheirfailure, the run. Thereafter, theinvestigationwasshelved in December2004.Heisnowreportedly onthe progress, andPalumbaritwasreleased onbail the investigationwasbotchedanddidnot cording toseveralpeopleclosethecase, taken before ajudgeinSantaCruz.But,ac- arrested afew daysafterthemurder andwas tifi Senando Palumbarit,whowasformallyiden- rearms: or- “Thepositionoftheinternational ed asthekillerbyVillarante’s partner, was DXPR rearm licences.“WhenIwasstillrunning in Pagadian, even helps journalists to inPagadian,evenhelpsjournalists rearms. Richard Vallas, rearms forprotec- ne andlegitimate, cal encourage cially 9 rm re. PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» in Cebu(inthecentre ofthecountry)because nalists were notkilledduringanattackin2004 his argument, Orcullo recounts howthree jour- being killedfallifyoucarryagun.”Insupportof taken foracombatant.Here, yourchancesof would putyouindangerbecausebe not beingarmed,becauseit’s warthere andit practising ourtrade.InIraq,youare betteroff the FFFJsays press freedom organizations are sponsibility canbeourbest protection.” Init, isadangerousing alive:Journalism trade.Re- a bookletattheendof2003 entitled,“Stay- ed totheprotection published ofjournalists, (FFFJ), anetworkofnational groups dedicat- The Freedom FundforFilipinoJournalists tion” protec- isourbest “Responsibility with agunintheirbelt. according toeveryoneinManila,wentaround inMindanaowho, was armed,evenjournalists metbytheteam tion. Noneofthejournalists of theparticularcircumstances ofeachsitua- be anindividualoneandshouldtakeaccount decision whetherornottocarryagunshould pine press. itmetsaidthe Allofthejournalists this debatehasloststeamwithinthePhilip- had theimpression that ers WithoutBorders fi At theendofthisfact- three hadbodyguards. years were armed,and killed overthepasttwo seven ofthejournalists ity (CMFR)saidatleast dom andResponsibil- Centre forMediaFree- Manila contestthis.The armed. Organizations in nalists killedin2004was that noneofthe14jour- The CagayandeOro press clubpointedout nig iso, Report- mission, nding JuanPala

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were abletofi they hadgunsand and waskilled.” have hisgunwithhim third timehedidnot and returned fi cause hewasarmed murder attemptsbe- already survivedtwo tember 2003:“Hehad (Mindanao) on6Sep- Pala, killedinDavao case ofJuan“Jun” Vallas mentionedthe “Take ustocourtbutdon no con tion. “Butontheotherhand,victimshave quality ofherinvestigativereportingoncorrup- which gaveMarleneEsperatanawardforthe devastating,” saysSheilaCoronelofthePCIJ, – inthisrespectthepowerofpresscanbe are heardeverydayontheradiointhiscountry “Personal attacksandunsupportedaccusations but don means tosettleourdisputes. Take ustocourt end thistendencytoalwaysuseextra-judicial attack physically,” sheexplains.“We haveto fi ʼ dence inthejudicialsystem,sothey t killus,”shepleads. re back. re. The re. the NewPeople’s Army(NPA). army tocombatthemand their militarywing, –andrecentgovernment initiativestaken by are bothwagingarmedstruggle againstthe the NationalDemocraticFront (NDF)–which Communist PartyofthePhilippines (CPP)and within thearmy. Itdescribedtheactivitiesof military intelligenceservice(ISAFP)foruse missing thepoint?”thatwasproduced bythe entation entitled“KnowingtheEnemy, Are we revealed theexistenceofaPowerPointpres- At thestartofApril2005,Philippinepress press the army threatens enemy” –whenthe the “Know an excellentjob. that manyofthosekilledeachyearwere doing nothing justifi The FFFJqualifi “ATM (from journalism theAmericanterm,au- practice extortionorletthemselvesbebought: a dozenexpressions todesignatethosewho communityusesatleasthalf The journalistic cant degree ofverbalviolence. on theair, withoutanyproof andwithasignifi politicians, businessmenorprivateindividuals commentators donothesitatetoattacklocal of somePhilippineradiostations.Many use itastheyseefi rentample, underwhichjournalists air-time and clusion. Thesystemof“block-timers,”forex- Several observershavereached thesamecon- excuses forthemurders ofjournalists.” their excessesandabuseswillserveas that, “Themediamustmakeefforts. Otherwise, vendettas.” Theorganization alsorecognizes freedom to“enrichthemselvesorforpersonal “abusetheirright”byusingthis journalists freest intheregion, whileontheother, some one hand,thePhilippinemediaare amongthe constantly confronted byadilemma:onethe ʼ t killus” es themurder and ofajournalist es itspositionbystressing that t, impoverishesthequality mail. tised thiskindofblack- in thelast20yearsprac- murderedthe journalists insignifi tire profession. Notan refl these practices,which organizations condemn cash) andsoon.Media tack, cash,defence, (at- “ACDC journalism” “envelope journalism”, for cashdispensers), tomated tellermachines, ect badlyontheen- cant numberof 10 - PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» with the During thearmypress conference, ajournalist ists astheenemy. members oftheNUJPorPCIJotherjournal- could takethisinformationliterallyandtreat Mindanao andthefarnorthofLuzon,soldiers militarized andtenseregions suchaswestern andcondemnsthearmy’scern attitude.Invery Reporters WithoutBorders shares hercon- enemy andthiswillexposethemtodangers. regard membersofherorganization asthe Shefearsthemilitarywillhenceforth cerned. NUJP president IndayEspina-Varona iscon- these organizations,” headded. among them.”Thearmy’s jobwas“tocleanse zations are notaware there isapartymember that“thepeopleintheseorgani-told journalists in thenewversion.Lt.Cmdr. Teddy Quinzon this presentation. ThePCIJwasnotmentioned ence topresent anew, expurgated versionof A fewdayslater, thearmyheldanewsconfer- these armedmovements. litical groups were alsoaccusedoflinkswith some 30otherreligious, cultural,socialorpo- (PCIJ)and for theInvestigationofJournalism its organization chart.ThePhilippineCentre page takenfrom theNUJPwebsiteshowing arts andculture. Thepresentation includeda NDF front organization workinginthefi at ManunulatNgSambayananmovement,an (NUJP) wasdirectly controlled bytheArtista ofthePhilippines tional UnionofJournalists In thepresentation, thearmysaidthatNa- whether ornot claimedbytheterrorist group more than350peoplesince February2004, the indiscriminatebombings thathavekilled rorism. Militaryoperationshave increased after thorities havesteppeduptheir waragainstter- anao a“future Afghanistan”), thePhilippineau- representatives inManilarecently calledMind- Prodded (oneofwhose bytheUSgovernment rism struggle anti-terro- the dangers from Other the guerrillas. ofsupporting diers oftensuspectjournalists practice withfewconsequences.Shesaidsol- down theproblem, sayingitwasastandard Sheila Coronel, theheadofPCIJ,played “That’s your interpretation andwerespect it.” man Brig.Gen.JoseHonradosimplyreplied, posed tohavebeeninfi will becometargets justbecausetheyare sup- ed bytheNPA orthecommunists?Themedia telling soldierstheseorganizations are infi “Whatdoyouexpectby colleagues concerns: Philippine Daily Inquirer Daily Philippine ltrated.” Army spokes- expressed his ed of eld ltrat- Although talks are currently under waybetween munist guerrillasare active. and thecentre ofthe Philippineswhere com- to accessentire swathes oftheislandLuzon to verify. Similarly, itisveryhard forjournalists now comesfrom military sources andishard news from theprovince inthenationalpress have beensteadilypullingoutandmostofthe the independentpress. Themainnewsmedia rized province, havebecome anightmare for The SuluIslands,thecountry’s mostmilita- cover to hard are that provinces Entire NUJP member. been ontheagenda.Why?”askedanother criminalization oflocalpoliticallifehasnever called terrorists, butaglobalpolicyagainst the been thestruggleagainstarmedgroups, now “For years,thegovernment’s No.1priorityhas forces. of counter-terrorism operationsbythesecurity confi nature communications, the ofjournalists’ The billposesaseriousthreat totheprivate concept of“terrorist group” isveryvague. sanctions envisagedare notyetknownandthe on thebasisofinterview’s content,”the provision wouldonlybeapplied“casebycase, nacio Bunyesubsequentlystressed thatthe congress. Evenifpresidential spokesmanIg- terrorism billcurrently before thePhilippine Such aprovision isenvisagedinadraftanti- news mediaguiltyoftalkingtorebel groups. Philippine armyhadcalledforalawpunishing with “terrorist groups.” Afewdaysbefore, the themediaagainstcarryinginterviews warned On 5March 2005,President Arroyo personally triot Act.” rush through thisPhilippineversionofthePa- the veryfoundationsofdemocracybytryingto member, added:“President Arroyo isattacking Espina-Varona. CarlosConde,anotherNUJP sive anti-terrorism law,” saidtheNUJP’s Inday interviewing terrorists andnowaveryrepres- inmilitaryunits,thebanon ding ofjournalists to campaignagainsttheproposed embed- a year, wehavehad the spaceoflessthan these operations.“In media coverageof are tryingtocontrol pecially thearmy, The authorities,es- Abu Sayyaf. dentiality oftheirsources andcoverage 11 PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» to thegroup,” saidLetiBoniol ofthe criticizing himfornotpayingpartofhissalary telephone textdeaththreat signed AbuSayyaf, like oneofhisarticles,andthenhereceived a questioning byanarmycommanderwhodidnot spondent inJolowasfi media are caughtinacrossfi In thefi Sayyaf wasinvolved. very hard toverifythepoliceclaimsthatAbu leagues toldReportersWithoutBorders itwas are lookingforthesuspects.Lumawag’s col- complaint wasfi bers IttingSailaniandOmarSailani.Amurder he wasgunneddownbyAbuSayyafmem- line publicationand,according tothepolice, get ofkillers. an independentfashion,theybecomethetar- trytocovertheseregionsWhen journalists in fi whohasworkedforthisstation journalist closely controlled bythearmy,” saidaBasilan sil ofZamboanga. Ayoungwomanwith an come whenthere isshooting,” saidLindaBan- media. “Theyonly Philippine andinternational they condemnedthe“war perspective” ofthe Basilan islandtoldReporters WithoutBorders Two from youngjournalists Zamboanga and want togoandcoverwarzones?” insurance orprotection, howcanyouexpectto you 100dollarsamonthandgiveswithno lan Gallardo said:“Whenyournewspaperpays the islandwitheditorof 12 November2004inJolo.Hehadarrivedon tographer, wasshotinthebackandkilledon region. 2001 whileinvestigatingdrugtraffi deMindanao),waskilledon30May western while atBasilan,thelocal of thelocalpopulationcannotbeexpressed, newspaper inJoloandBasilan,sotheviews ga complained.“There isnolongeranylocal senter onlocalradio Daily Inquirer Daily ve years. ve eld, thecorrespondents ofthenational Gene BoydLumawag . Mindanao-basedreporter Froi- Candelario JhunCayona led fi led ve dayslater. Thepolice DXLL rst of allsummonedfor the localauthorities under pressure from cal newspapersare coverage. “Thelo- independent news vents completeand the stateofwarpre- eration Front (MILF), the Moro IslamicLib- and the government DXOS Mindanews and themilitary,” a based inZamboan- inZamboanga(in re. “Ourcorre- , ayoungpho- Mindanews radiostationis cking inthe Philippine Philippine reporter , apre- on- mends: Reporters WithoutBorders therefore recom- table. rights. Violence againstthepress isnotinevi- tion inaworldofpress freedom andhuman The Philippinesmustnolongerbetheexcep- killed becauseoftheirworksince1986. who hired theminthe52casesofjournalists and bringtotrialthecontractkillersthose sible, inacoordinated action,toidentify, arrest lice andthejudiciarymustdoeverythingpos- reinforce thestruggleagainstimpunity. Thepo- calls onthePhilippines’mostsenioroffi are thevictimsofviolence.Theorganizations andtheirfamilieswho darity tothejournalists Reporters WithoutBorders expresses itssoli- gions where armedclashestakeplace. The fi pose apermanentdangerforpress freedom. nalists byarmedgroups andterrorist groups Murders, kidnappingsandharassmentofjour- had nothingtofear. fornearly20years.Theyhave nate journalists who hire themtocontinuephysicallyelimi- has encouragedthecontractkillersandthose complicity, ofthepoliceandjudicialauthorities impunity tobebroken. Theindifference, ifnot ists willenabletheviciouscircle ofviolenceand Only activecampaigningbyPhilippinejournal- Recommendations - Reinforce the materialandhumanresourc- nary enquiries. begin before thepolicecompletetheirprelimi- of murders which,ifneeded,can ofjournalists - Provide specialprotection forthewitnesses murders ofjournalists. those suspectedofinstigatingorexecuting - Speeduppoliceandjudicialprocedures for ous threats totheirphysicalsafety. tive measures report wheneverjournalists seri- thorities andthepolicemustreinforce protec- their workpreviously received threats. Theau- killedinthecourseof Many ofthejournalists - Take threats veryseriously. againstjournalists To theauthorities: take over.” is stupidandcounter-productive. Rumourwill frombanning journalists interviewingtherebels nor againstthearmedgroups. Andthisideaof ity beexpressed, themajoritythatisneitherfor does notlettheviewpointofMuslimmajor- NGO inZamboangasaid:“Thegovernment rst tosuffer are basedinre- journalists cials to cials 12 PHILIPPINES An end to impunity “Justice for Marlene Esperat and the 51 other journalists killed since 1986» summary orarbitraryexecutions. ers andthespecialrapporteuronextrajudicial, special representative forhumanrightsdefend- right tofreedom ofopinionandexpression, the porteur onthepromotion andprotection ofthe pine tobeconductedjointlybythespecialrap- - Organize afact-fi protection ofhumanrights. of hiscountry’s undertakingsasregards the Commission forHumanRightsandremind him - SummonthePhilippineambassadorto To theUnitedNations: murder, AsuriHawani. presumed accomplicetoEdgarDamalerio’s and NorhanAmbol,forthearrest ofthe pects inEdgarAmoro’s murder, MadixMaulana - Issuewarrantsforthearrest ofthetwosus- Edgar Amoro. api, MuhammadYusop, EdgarDamalerioand tions intothecasesofWilliamYu, OlimpioPal- and policetoPagadianpursuetheinvestiga- - Sendaspecialteamofjudicialinvestigators the murder. investigation inorder toidentifythosebehind sumed killerproceeds properly andpursuethe - Ensure thatthetrialofEdgarDamalerio’s pre- and brought totrial. that theinstigatorsofthismurder beidentifi murder through tocompletion.Itisessential - SeetheinvestigationintoMarleneEsperat’s tions. and theconfi toprotectthe rightofjournalists theirsources that wouldviolatepress freedom, inparticular, - Strikefrom theanti-terrorism billanyarticle the needtoprotect journalists. aware oftheimportancepress freedom and - Makearmyandpolicepersonnelatalllevels sos andmedicalassistance. a safehouse,monthlyallowanceof8,000pe- and someplaintiffs, sixmonthsofprotection in stand, thejusticedepartmentoffers witnesses, es availableforwitnessprotection. Asthings from Manilato cover astoryratherthanuse a cases, itmaybepreferable tosend ajournalist vincial correspondents are exposed.Insome - Constantlyevaluatetherisks towhichpro- To thenewsmedia: Marlene Esperat. exposed corruption,especiallythemurder of on thesolvingofmurders who ofjournalists - Conditionthegrantingofnewfi nity: To theWorld Bankandtheinternationalcommu- dentiality oftheircommunica- nding missiontothePhilip- nnil aid nancial ed spondents getareasonable basicwage. - Ensure thatprovincial andcorre- journalists ing. crimes againstthepress iscredible andlast- ensure thatthecampaignagainstimpunityfor those killedforpersonalmotives,inorder to killedbecauseoftheirworkand of journalists - Makeaverycleardistinctionbetweencases mustalsobereported.against journalists in themurders Casesofthreats ofjournalists. cover investigationsandjudicialproceedings media vital thatthePhilippineandinternational - Keeppress freedom onthefront page.Itis local correspondent. 13