NY-based group prods RP to act on latest killing of journalist

MANILA, Philippines - Dismayed over the killing of a radio commentator in Northern Samar last Tuesday, a New York-based media watchdog group urged the Philippine government Thursday to act on what it called a rise in fatal attacks on journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) lamented that no witness has so far come forward to provide clues on the killing of Leo Mila. "It is time for the central government, as well as local authorities, to promptly address the climate of impunity that is facilitating rising violence against Philippine journalists," CPJ Asia program coordinator Bob Dietz said in a statement on its website Thursday morning (Manila time). "Mila's murder is a reminder that police throughout the Philippines must respond immediately with investigations and protection when journalists are threatened for their work," he added. Mila was shot dead outside the local station office of Radyo Natin in San Roque town in Northern Samar province Tuesday night. Radio employees alerted police after hearing gunfire and finding Mila's abandoned motorcycle still running outside. Mila had reported receiving death threats, even as colleagues believe he was targeted for his work. Department of Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor on Wednesday said he has dispatched a team to look into the killing. Blancalfor heads Task Force 211, an agency under the DOJ looking into journalist killings in the country. CPJ noted at least five other journalists have been ambushed and slain this year, with the gunmen attacking in public areas and escaping by motorcycle. The CPJ is investigating the November 17 murder of another Radyo Natin journalist, Arecio Padrigo, for links to his work. Padrigo was gunned down on southern Mindanao Island in an incident that appeared to be a targeted attack. Outspoken radio commentators Dennis Cuesta and Martin Roxas both received death threats before being shot and killed for reports on politic issues in their local areas, CPJ confirmed. The unrelated attacks occurred within a few days of each other in August. On the other hand, two print journalists, publisher Benefredo Acabal and columnist Bert Sison, were also shot dead this year. The motive for these two attacks has not been confirmed. CPJ noted its global campaign to combat impunity for journalist murders focuses initially on Russia and the Philippines. - GMANews.TV