PH remains 3rd in Impunity Index

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has remained 3rd for the fourth straight year in a global index for impunity, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international press freedom organization.

On Thursday, May 2, the CPJ released its 2013 Impunity Index, which lists countries where journalists are killed regularly and those murders have remained unsolved.

The Philippines has remained high on the Impunity Index due to the Maguindanao Massacre in 2009. As the CPJ report explains, Philippine police “have yet to make headway in the prosecution of dozens of suspects in a politically motivated massacre in Maguindanao province that claimed the lives of more than 50 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, in 2009.” It also notes that 3 witnesses in the case have also been murdered, with one of them getting dismembered and mutilated.

The Philippines has maintained a position in the Impunity Index since the CPJ began its analysis in 2008. “The static nature of the list,” the CPJ explains, “highlights the challenges in reversing entrenched impunity and high rates of anti-press violence.”

Going to the Philippines-specific page for the CPJ Impunity Index leads to a statistical analysis of the beats of the slain journalists. The names of the slain journalists and their news outfits are below, organized by time periods.

1992-1996

• Danilo Vergara, Philippine Post – July 1, 1992, in Iligan City, Philippines
• Greg Hapalla, DXAS – September 21, 1992, in Zamboanga City, Philippines
• Romeo Lagaspi, Voice of Zambales – January 11, 1993, in 1993, Philippines
• Ferdinand Reyes, Press Freedom – February 13, 1996, in Dipolog, Philippines

 

1997-2001

 

• Danny Hernandez, People’s Journal Tonight – June 3, 1997, in Manila, Philippines
• Rey Bancayrin, Radio DXLL – March 30, 1998, in Zamboanga City, Philippines
• Olimpio Jalapit Jr., DXPR Radio – November 17, 2000, in Pagadian City, Philippines
• Roland Ureta, Radio DYKR – January 3, 2001, in Aklan Province, Philippines
• Candelario Cayona, Radio DXLL – May 30, 2001, in Zamboanga City, Philippines

 

2002-2006

 

• Edgar Damalerio, Zamboanga Scribe and DXKP Radio – May 13, 2002, in Pagadian City, Philippines
• Sonny Alcantara, “Quo Vadis San Pablo” and Kokus – August 22, 2002, in San Pablo, Philippines
• Apolinario “Polly” Pobeda, DWTI Radio – May 17, 2003, in Lucena City, Quezon, Philippines
• Bonifacio Gregorio, Dyaryo Banat – July 8, 2003, in La Paz, Tarlac, Philippines
• Noel Villarante, DZJV Radio and Laguna Score – August 19, 2003, in Santa Cruz, Laguna Province, Philippines
• Rico Ramirez, DXSF Radio – August 20, 2003, in Agusan del Sur, Philippines
• Juan “Jun” Pala, DXGO Radio – September 6, 2003, in Davao City, Philippines
• Rowell Endrinal, DZRC – February 11, 2004, in Legazpi City, Philippines
• Elpidio Binoya, Radyo Natin – June 17, 2004, in General Santos, Philippines
• Rogelio “Roger” Mariano, Radyo Natin-Aksyon Radyo – July 31, 2004, in Laoag City, Philippines
• Arnnel Manalo, Bulgar and DZRH Radio – August 5, 2004, in Bauan, Philippines
• Romeo (or Romy) Binungcal, Remate and Bulgar- September 29, 2004, in Bataan Province, Philippines
• Eldy Sablas (aka Eldy Gabinales), Radio DXJR-FM – October 19, 2004, in Tandag , Philippines
• Gene Boyd Lumawag, MindaNews – November 12, 2004, in Jolo, Philippines
• Herson Hinolan, Bombo Radiyo – November 13, 2004, in Kalibo, Philippines
• Marlene Garcia-Esperat, Midland News and DXKR – March 24, 2005, in Tacurong, Philippines
• Klein Cantoneros, DXAA-FM- May 4, 2005, in Dipolog City, Philippines
• Philip Agustin, Starline Times Recorder – May 10, 2005, in Paltic, Philippines
• Rolando “Dodong” Morales, DXMD – July 3, 2005, in Polomolok, Philippines
• Fernando Batul, DZRH and DYPR – May 22, 2006, in Puerto Princesa, Philippines
• George Vigo, Union of Catholic Asian News – June 19, 2006, in Mindanao, Philippines
• Maricel Vigo, DXND – June 19, 2006, in Mindanao, Philippines
• Armando Pace, DXDS – July 18, 2006, in Digos City, Philippines

 

2007-2011

 

• Martin Roxas, DYVR – August 7, 2008, in Roxas City, Philippines
• Dennis Cuesta, DXMD – August 9, 2008, in General Santos City, Philippines
• Henry Araneta, DZRH – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Mark Gilbert Arriola, UNTV – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Rubello Bataluna, Gold Star Daily – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Arturo Betia, Periodico Ini – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Romeo Jimmy Cabillo, Midland Review – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Marites Cablitas, News Focus and DXDX – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Hannibal Cachuela, Punto News – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Jepon Cadagdagon, Saksi News – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• John Caniban, Periodico Ini – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Lea Dalmacio, Socsargen News – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Noel Decina, Periodico Ini – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Gina Dela Cruz, Saksi News – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Jhoy Duhay, Gold Star Daily – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Jolito Evardo, UNTV – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Santos Gatchalian, DXGO – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Bienvenido Legarte Jr., Prontiera News – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Lindo Lupogan, Mindanao Daily Gazette – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Ernesto Maravilla, Bombo Radyo – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Rey Merisco, Periodico Ini – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Reynaldo Momay, Midland Review – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Marife “Neneng” Montaño, Saksi News and DXCI – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Rosell Morales, News Focus – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Victor Nuñez, UNTV – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Ronnie Perante, Gold Star Daily – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Joel Parcon, Prontiera News – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Fernando Razon, Periodico Ini – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Alejandro Reblando, Manila Bulletin – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Napoleon Salaysay, Mindanao Gazette – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Ian Subang, Socsargen Today – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Andres Teodoro, Central Mindanao Inquirer – November 23, 2009, in Ampatuan, Philippines
• Crispin Perez, DWDO Radio – June 9, 2009, in San Jose, Philippines
• Ernie Rollin, DXSY Radio – February 23, 2009, in Oroquieta City, Philippines
• Desidario Camangyan, Sunrise FM – June 14, 2010, in Manay, Philippines
• Joselito Agustin, DZJC – June 16, 2010, in Baccara, Philippines
• Gerardo Ortega, DWAR – January 24, 2011, in Puerto Princesa City, Philippines
• Romeo Olea, DWEB – June 13, 2011, in Iriga City, Philippines

 

2012-present

 

• Christopher Guarin, Radyo Mo Nationwide and Tatak News -January 5, 2012, in General Santos City, Philippines

– Rappler.com