THE FULL REPORT CAN BE READ HERE
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other members of an international solidarity mission that investigated the November 23 massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippines is saying that Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her government must take all necessary measures to provide local media with protection ahead of upcoming elections.
32 journalists and media workers were among those killed.
“The massacre underlines the terrible dangers that Filipino journalists face. It also highlights the inability and unwillingness of the State to ensure the protection and safety of journalists who are seeking to perform their duties,” the mission members say in their report, Massacre in the Philippines: International Solidarity Mission Rapid Assessment, released today.
In a newsletter also sent out today, the IFJ said that the mission conducted its investigations in the Philippines from December 5 to 10 in association with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an affiliate of the IFJ. The team included representatives from leading journalists’ rights and press freedom organizations, including the IFJ, Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Media Support (IMS), International News Safety Institute (INSI), the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI), Australia’s Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA), and Union Network International (UNI).
“Power-holders in the Philippines must act urgently on all the recommendations of the mission’s report to reverse once and for all the country’s shameful culture of impunity for the murders of journalists, tragically underscored on November 23,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White stated in the release.
As the mission report went to press, the toll of media personnel killed in the massacre was revised up to 32, as it was confirmed that Saksi News photographer Jepon Cadagdagon was among the victims in Maguindanao province, Mindanao. The toll of 32 media personnel includes 31 whose bodies were recovered, as well as Reynaldo”Bebot” Momay who remains missing.
The mission team says that it holds grave concerns for the safety of Filipino journalists as the investigation and prosecution of the accused take place in a tense environment ahead of national and presidential elections due on May 10.
“This massacre, coming at the very beginning of the 2010 election process, not only undermines that process but has dealt a cruel blow to democracy and free media in the Philippines,” the mission members say in the report.
The groups are calling on the government to ensure media is able to report fairly and freely on the election campaign without undue risk. They are also stressing concerns about judicial and forensic processes in view of the political ties between the Arroyo administration and the Ampatuan family in Mindanao.
At least 100 gunmen are believed to have been involved in the massacre, but Andal Ampatuan Jr, the son of the clan patriarch, is the only person to be charged and brought before a court because of his direct connection, and he has pleaded not guilty.
Among other significant concerns highlighted in the report is the role of Major General Alfredo Cayton, the Commander of the 6th Infantry Division in Maguindinao at the time of the massacre.
Cayton, who denied requests for a military escort to accompany the convoy that was attacked on November 23, was stood down immediately after the massacre. He has since been promoted to Vice Commander of the Philippine Army.
The mission is calling for an investigation into reports that several members of the Philippine National Police were involved in the massacre.
The mission, which Arroyo declined to meet, further recommends:
The mission report will be officially released in the Philippines today at the launch of an organization of families of journalists killed in the massacre, Justice NOW! The NUJP and Justice NOW! will conduct a press conference in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, where many of the families live.
In Quezon City, the November 23 Movement, which has been convened by the NUJP, will hold a candlelight vigil, among other activities to mark two months since the massacre.
THE FULL REPORT CAN BE READ HERE
*Note: The contents of this blog posting are portions of a newsletter/press release distributed by the International Federation of Journalists*
