MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 25, 2014) – The Philippine government said it continues to coordinate efforts among law enforcement agencies to address media killings in the country.
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., a government spokesman, said among the steps being taken by the Aquino administration are changes in the rules of court to speed up ligation, especially with regards to the biggest case involving violence against journalists — the “Maguindanao massacre.”
“We continue to work with the concerned government agencies. Ang direktiba po sa kanila ay pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisiyasat at paghahanap sa mga gumawa ng mga krimeng ito, dahil hindi naman po natin mapapahintulutan ang paggawa ng karahasan laban sa mga journalists, at laban sa mga nagtatrabaho bilang mga peryodista and in the exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” Coloma said in a press briefing at the Presidential Palace.
He said three judges were so far assigned to handle the massacre case, adding the police and other law enforcement agencies also made a commitment to heighten the campaign to arrest the perpetrators of the killings.
“Kaya pag-iibayuhin ng ating pamahalaan ang pagsisikap na mabigyan ng katarungan ang karahasan laban sa mga journalists,” Coloma said.
He said also part of the government’s commitment to protect journalists is to control the proliferation of illegal weapons in the country.
“The President signed a new gun law allowing professionals to carry guns for protection as well as raising the prison term to at least 30 years for anyone caught possessing unlicensed firearm,” he said.
Media groups have criticized the government for its failure to protect journalists from attacks.
Just in December, motorcycle gunmen shot and killed a radio broadcaster, Rogelio Butalid, in Tagum City in southern Philippines. The 46-year old Butalid, who worked for Radyo Natin, was shot outside his studio.
Michael Milo, of radio station Prime FM in Tandag City and Joas Dignos, a radio commentator, were also killed by gunmen in southern Philippines. A third radio man, Jhonavin Villalba, 43, of dyOK Aksyon Radyo in Iloilo survived, but is wounded in a gun attack.
The NUJP said 19 journalists had been killed since President Benigno Aquino assumed the presidency in 2010 and the string of attacks and murder continue unabated in the country.
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