WHAT WENT BEFORE: 13 journalists killed under Duterte admin

At least 13 journalists have been killed in work-related attacks under the Duterte administration.

An April 2019 report of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Philippine Press Institute, MindaNews and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) showed that there were 12 media practitioners killed from June 30, 2016 to Oct. 30, 2018.

In December last year, a broadcast journalist was killed in Bicol, adding up to 13 the total number of journalists killed since President Duterte took office in 2016.

Murdered practitioners

The list of murdered media practitioners consists of Larry Que, Joaquin Briones, Christopher Lozada, Leo Diaz, Rudy Alicaway, Mario Cantaoi, Marlon Muyco, Apolinario Suan Jr., Edmund Sestoso, Carlos Matas Dennis Denora, Joey Llana and Gabby Alboro.

On July 20, 2018, Joey Llana, a radio broadcaster for dwZR in Legazpi City, was leaving his home in Daraga town in Albay province when he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

On Dec. 28, 2018, Gabby Alboro, a radio blocktimer for dyJL, was on his way home in Guihulngan City, when he was killed by two men on a motorcycle in La Libertad town, Negros Oriental. Alboro, known as “Kumander Agila,” was the third broadcaster murdered on Negros Island in 2018.

Among dangerous countries

The same report showed that there were 128 cases of attacks and threats against the press from June 30, 2016 to April 30, 2019.

Out of the 128 cases, 89 were recorded in Luzon, 26 in Mindanao, and 13 in the Visayas.

According to the media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines remains to be one of the top dangerous countries for media in Asia Pacific. —COMPILED BY INQUIRER RESEARCH, WITH REPORTS FROM ANDREA GREGORIO AND ZATHEA DELA PEÑA, INQUIRER INTERNS

Sources: Inquirer Archives, pcij.org