Murders of Journalists Mock Government’s Claims

The murder in broad daylight of Capiz broadcaster Martin Roxas on Thursday, August 7, mocks government’s claims that it has brought down the incidence of extrajudicial killings, particularly the murder of journalists.

Roxas, 32, is the fourth journalist murdered this year and the 59th since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001.

The brazenness with which he was slain and the short span of time since another colleague, General Santos broadcaster Dennis Cuesta, was shot and grievously wounded in another daytime attack, merely show that the culture of impunity the government has helped nurture by its inaction, apathy and even its outright attempts to stifle press freedom, continues to thrive.

Roxas was chased and gunned down as he left the station after his program at around 1 p.m. Thursday. He died in a hospital about an hour later from a gunshot to the spine.

Roxas was the program director of Radio Mindanao Network’s dyVR and auditor of the Capiz chapter of the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines.

NUJP members in General Santos and Davao City joined the protest action held this afternoon in General Santos while NUJP-Iloilo has organized a mass. Similar actions are being planned in other areas, including Manila.

As we grieve the loss of yet another colleague, we call on all independent Filipino journalists to remain steadfast in our mission of serving the people by delivering to them the information they will need in molding their individual and collective futures.

References:
Jose Torres Jr., NUJP chairperson
Rowena Paraan, NUJP secretary-general