Echoes From
BY JOHNNY DAYANG
On focus: Media killings
Justice Secretary Lilia de Lima’s recent disclosure that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino will shortly issue an executive order creating a super body tasked to seriously address the issue of wanton extrajudicial killing of media people sounds promising and comforting.
As the Justice Secretary puts it the new super body will be “something stronger than the current task force that handles extrajudicial killings to give journalists better protection.”
Presidential Task Force 211, created by the previous Arroyo administration nearly three years ago, was mandated to address political violence in response to the spate of extrajudicial killings and abductions of leftist activists and journalists.
Chaired by an Justice Undersecretary, Task Force 211 reported the filing in court as of February 23 this year of 265 cases of extrajudicial killings and abductions, 65 of which have been dismissed, 70 were archived since the accused remain at large, and 50 are designated as “cold cases” due to lack of lewads to merit their prosecution.
Meanwhile, the wanton and extrajudicial murder and killing of journalists continue. Only last Friday, July 9, Miguel de Belen, 48, a reporter of dwEB-FM radio station in Nabua, Camarines Sur was shot at close range in the neck and body by two motorcycle riding men. As of press time, de Belen remains in critical condition in a hospital in nearby in Iriga City.
Killers of journalists seem to be taunting the Aquino administration. Hardly had the President warmed his seat in Malacanang, the killers of media people lost no time in announcing their presence. They shot radio reporters Jose Daguio on July 3 near his house in Tabuk City; and de Belen on July 9.
Besides that, they also gunned down Desiderio Camangyan of Sunrise FM Radio on June 14 in Mati City; Jovencio Agustin in dzJC in Laoag City on June 15; and Nestor Bedolido, a print journalist in Davao City on June 19.
The Philippines boasts of having one of the world’s freest media. This world, however, considers the Philippines as the most risky country where to practice the media profession because journalists are fair targets of extrajudicial killings and murders. President Aquino deserves media support to reverse this uncomplimentary reputation and make the country safer for them.
We wish to announce that the deadline for submission of application for membership to the communication committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will be on July 31, 2010.
BY JOHNNY DAYANG
On focus: Media killings
Justice Secretary Lilia de Lima’s recent disclosure that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino will shortly issue an executive order creating a super body tasked to seriously address the issue of wanton extrajudicial killing of media people sounds promising and comforting.
As the Justice Secretary puts it the new super body will be “something stronger than the current task force that handles extrajudicial killings to give journalists better protection.”
Presidential Task Force 211, created by the previous Arroyo administration nearly three years ago, was mandated to address political violence in response to the spate of extrajudicial killings and abductions of leftist activists and journalists.
Chaired by an Justice Undersecretary, Task Force 211 reported the filing in court as of February 23 this year of 265 cases of extrajudicial killings and abductions, 65 of which have been dismissed, 70 were archived since the accused remain at large, and 50 are designated as “cold cases” due to lack of lewads to merit their prosecution.
Meanwhile, the wanton and extrajudicial murder and killing of journalists continue. Only last Friday, July 9, Miguel de Belen, 48, a reporter of dwEB-FM radio station in Nabua, Camarines Sur was shot at close range in the neck and body by two motorcycle riding men. As of press time, de Belen remains in critical condition in a hospital in nearby in Iriga City.
Killers of journalists seem to be taunting the Aquino administration. Hardly had the President warmed his seat in Malacanang, the killers of media people lost no time in announcing their presence. They shot radio reporters Jose Daguio on July 3 near his house in Tabuk City; and de Belen on July 9.
Besides that, they also gunned down Desiderio Camangyan of Sunrise FM Radio on June 14 in Mati City; Jovencio Agustin in dzJC in Laoag City on June 15; and Nestor Bedolido, a print journalist in Davao City on June 19.
The Philippines boasts of having one of the world’s freest media. This world, however, considers the Philippines as the most risky country where to practice the media profession because journalists are fair targets of extrajudicial killings and murders. President Aquino deserves media support to reverse this uncomplimentary reputation and make the country safer for them.
We wish to announce that the deadline for submission of application for membership to the communication committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will be on July 31, 2010.
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