An international media watchdog group demanded from Philippine authorities Friday immediate steps to secure at least two more journalists in Palawan province allegedly being targeted for assassination. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) cited information from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) that the two have been targeted by the same people behind the January 24 murder of broadcaster-environmentalist Dr. Gerardo Ortega. “This credible evidence that journalists in Palawan province face physical harm requires an urgent response by authorities in the Philippines. The IFJ demands that the Philippine National Police work to remove any possibility that further violence be perpetrated against journalists in Palawan province, and move quickly to bring those who ordered the murder of Gerado Ortega to justice," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said in an article posted Friday evening on the IFJ website. In an interview with GMA News, NUJP director Rowena Paraan confirmed that two other journalists are feared to be the next subject of assassination, based on reports they have gathered. “Based sa statement ng suspect, may dalawang media pa na kasama sa target," Paraan said. (Based on the suspect’s statement, two more media persons are among their targets.) The IFJ noted in its release that one of the suspects – Rodolfo Edrad Jr, purportedly the link between the mastermind and the gunmen – told authorities that two more Palawan journalists are next in line to be murdered. Paraan declined to name the journalists, and said only that the NUJP will come out with an alert over the weekend urging local authorities to provide protection to the two journalists. According to Paraan, the threats against one of the two have been confirmed. “Confirmed na may nagmo-monitor sa bahay niya. Ini-report na niya," she said. (It has been confirmed that the house of one is being monitored. The journalist has already reported it to the police.) While the other journalist has not yet received direct death threats, Paraan said that the second journalist is “likely" to be the other target of assassination based on their assessment of the suspect’s statements. Ortega was gunned down Jan. 24 in Puerto Princesa City after his radio program.
At least five suspects are now in custody, one of them linking former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes to the crime. Reyes, however, had denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. (See: Ex-gov eyed as key to solving Palawan broadcaster's slay) The IFJ said it supports the NUJP’s view that should authorities fail to guarantee Palawan journalists’ safety when there is clear evidence that lives are in danger, “it will only serve to bolster the growing perception that the administration of President Benigno Aquino III does not put a premium on protecting citizens’ lives and freedoms."—With Jerrie M. Abella/JV
