IFJ condemns journalist’s murder
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:04:00 11/18/2008
Filed Under: Media, Murder, Protest
MANILA, Philippines -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in the Asia Pacific expressed outrage over the murder of radio commentator Aristeo Padrigao Monday and called for immediate justice for the victim and his family.
In a statement Tuesday, the IFJ also slammed the government’s “gross failure” to protect journalists who “continue to lose their lives in the struggle to protect and uphold press freedom and freedom of expression for all people in the Philippines.”
Padrigao was shot dead Monday morning by unidentified motorcycle-riding men as he dropped his daughter off at school in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
Aristeo Padrigao, a blocktime commentator, radio show host of dxRS Radyo Natin and a columnist in the Mindanao Monitor Today, died from a single shot to the jaw.
Padrigao’s frequent exposés on illegal logging activities in Gingoog City may have caused him his life, authorities and colleagues said.
He was the sixth journalist slain this year, IFJ-Asia Pacific said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said he was the 61st to be killed since 2001, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power.
“The horrific pattern of antagonism and violence against journalists in the Philippines is a disgrace and must end,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
The IFJ claims to represent over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide.
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