MANILA, Philippines (August 8, 2008) - In the heels of another attack against a journalist, a national media organization on Friday challenged the government to immediately arrest the assailants and masterminds behind such cases if it is serious in stopping the culture of impunity.
In a radio interview, Jose Torres Jr, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chairman, said it is lamentable that the government has yet to concretely show it is serious in stopping the attacks against journalists.
"We hope the government will really show it is serious in solving these cases by targeting the masterminds. We have a culture of impunity now because the killers and masterminds are not being made responsible for these attacks. Just one conviction of a mastermind will change that.
Right now, they are just keeping their silence behind the scenes, probably hunting down the next victim," Torres said in Filipino in an interview on dwIZ radio.
Torres said that in the case of slain Radio Mindanao Network anchor Martin Roxas, police brought in two suspects for questioning as of late Thursday. But he said police should go further by going after the masterminds behind the killing.
Roxas supposedly received death threats before he was shot dead Thursday.
Roxas' killing is the second this week. On Monday, Dennis Cuesta, another RMN anchor, was shot in General Santos City. Cuesta was seriously wounded in the attack.
For his part, Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr said he has ordered the regional directors concerned to solve the cases soonest.
"Identify the suspect, arrest him and file charges... Ipakita natin ang ating resolve na tigilin ang senseless killings na nangyayari rito (Let us show them our resolve to end these senseless killings)," Razon said in an interview on dwIZ. - GMANews.TV
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