By: Reigh John Bench Almendras
An activist holding a slogan to express condemnation against the killings of Filipino Journalists. Photo Courtesy VOA News.
The Philippines is 9th in the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Global Impunity Index Rankings. Since the Committee's establishment in 2008, the country has been included in the rankings, marking its 17th consecutive year in 2024. In Southeast Asia, only the Philippines and Myanmar rank in the 13-item rankings of the CPJ.
Justice remains inaccessible to journalists killed in the Philippines, according to the media watchdog.
According to CPJ, the Philippines currently holds 18 unsolved murders and has been consistent in logging journalist-related killings since 1992. CPJ highlighted that justice in the Maguindanao Massacre, one of the deadliest attacks on the press 15 years ago, remains elusive up to this day - as well as the case of Gerry Ortega, a radio broadcaster killed in 2011. Of 974 cases of journalist murder cases, only 5% were solved and 79% remain unsolved.
Tagging the situation as a state of impunity, CPJ noted changes until the recent rankings were minimal.
“The figures are largely unchanged this year; as are the dangers journalists face. Impunity is as endemic as ever, and the families and colleagues of murdered journalists have little chance of seeing anyone held responsible.”
Journalists killed under various administrations since 1986
The administration under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo holds the greatest number of journalist killings with 109. It was also under her administration when the Maguindanao Massacre took place. The lowest number was recorded under the term of then president Joseph Estrada with 5. However, it must be taken into account that the timelines of their administration were unusual, as Estrada was impeached in 2000 and Arroyo took charge. Arroyo then extended her administration after winning reelection in 2004.
Today, under the Marcos Jr. administration, 4 journalists were recorded killed: Rey Blanco, Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, Cresenciano Bunduquin, and Juan Jumalon. Despite the determination of the mastermind behind the case, the case of Percy Lapid remains unsolved as of this writing.
Press Freedom in the Philippines
Lack of safety for journalists in the Philippines also ranks low this year as it slipped two places on the rankings by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in May. The country is at 134 out of 180 countries and territories.
According to RSF, the Philippines, despite enshrining press freedom as a constitutional right, still fails to uphold the principle with continued attacks among journalists.