Journalists pray for murdered members of the Philippine media in front of the radio station dxRZ of the Radio Mindanao Network on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 in Zamboanga City. Two RMN broadcasters, Dennis Cuesta and Martin Roxas, were killed in separate attacks last week in the Philippines; bringing to 97 the number of journalists killed in line of duty since President Gloria Arroyo assumed power in 2001. The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Many Filipino journalists are also being harassed, coerced and intimidated because of the news they report. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 21, 2008) - Dozens of journalists held prayers and paid tribute to two slain colleagues in the southern Philippines.
Two broadcasters of the Radio Mindanao Network, Dennis Cuesta and Martin Roxas, were killed in August in separate attacks in the Philippines, bringing to 97 the number of journalists killed in line of duty since President Gloria Arroyo assumed to power in 2001.
The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Many Filipino journalists are also being harassed, coerced and intimidated because of the news they report.
Reporters here on Wednesday held a prayer in front of the radio station dxRZ, owned by Radio Mindanao Network, to honor murdered journalists. They later proceeded to the church where a mass was held for Cuesta and Roxas and others killed in recent years.
It was the first in the history of media in Zamboanga City that journalists from different media outfits gathered together to seek justice for the killings.
Five journalists - Gloria Martin, Rey Bancairin, Greg Hapalla, Jade Ladja and Candelario Cayona Jr. - had been mercilessly killed in Zamboanga City over the past years and all their cases remain unsolved. Their killers were believed to be hired assassins.
“All these cases are in the archives of the court and hardly a resolution and if there’s any, not a single mastermind to the crimes is prosecuted or jailed,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said in a statement.
“Speaking, uncovering and writing about the truth in the face of power is also dangerous as we have countless reports of harassment, intimidation, persecution and threats,” it said.
“Speaking, uncovering and writing about the truth in the face of power is also dangerous as we have countless reports of harassment, intimidation, persecution and threats,” it said.
In the past, the local RMN station nearly closed after it aired reports about the operation and existence of the Abu Sayyaf group.
“The quest for justice is not going to end here today. As we continue performing our chosen profession, the struggle will go on and we must continue advocating press freedom,” the journalists said in the statement.
International media organizations and human rights groups have condemned the killings of the journalists and harassment of media workers in the Philippines.
The International Federation of Journalists also pledged its solidarity to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, an IFJ affiliate, and all journalists in the Philippines as they mark a National Day of Mourning for Media in recognition of fallen colleagues.
Alongside the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists and Radio Mindanao Network and other media organizations, NUJP representatives wore black in a nationally coordinated action across the country.
Aside from Zamboanga, short ceremonies paying tribute to killed journalists were held also in metropolitan Manila as well as Baguio, Olongapo, Pampanga, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Capiz, Davao, Quezon, Bukidnon, Kidapawan, Ozamiz, General Santos and Sulu.
The murders of two Radio Mindanao Network journalists contributed to a newly somber outlook for the safety and protection of the media in the Philippines, following a period of optimism when violence against the media appeared to decrease and the Philippines courts began to take action to investigate the killings of journalists.
Five journalists in the Philippines have lost their lives in the course of their work since the beginning of 2008.
"Journalists and journalists' leaders in the Philippines have shown great courage and determination in fighting for press freedom despite the danger and hostility they confront in the course of doing their jobs," IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
"The IFJ stands with our colleagues in the Philippines in sending a message to all perpetrators of violence against Filipino media workers that we will maintain our commitment as guardians of the public interest and the independent voice of the people."
In mourning all journalists killed while conducting their work, the IFJ is also saddened to learn of the shooting death of Ronaldo Julia, a former journalist for DZGE radio and the Weekly Informer, in Camarines Sur province on August 16, whose murder is reportedly unrelated to his media work.
"The IFJ extends its deep sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of all journalists killed in the Philippines," it said in a statement. (Mindanao Examiner)
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