Act promptly on radio anchor's killing, IFJ tells govt

An international media group on Friday urged the Philippine government to act promptly in solving the killing of a female radio anchor in Malabon City Thursday. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) pushed for a thorough investigation into the killing of dzME anchor Marlina "Len" Flores Sumera. "The IFJ implores authorities in the Philippines to bring those responsible for (Sumera's) murder to justice, and break the cycle of violence and impunity that has plagued the country for so long," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said in a statement posted on the IFJ website. "We welcome the establishment of a Special Investigation Task Group to investigate her murder and hope that police and the judiciary see that her death does not go unpunished," Park added. IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide. For their part, the National Press Club and the Alyansang Filipinong Mamamahayag said they have raised P50,000 to offer as reward to anybody who could provide information leading to the arrest of the gunman and the mastermind behind Sumera's killing. "In our sheer desire to have the killer and the mastermind behind the killing of Sumera punished, in our own little way, we have contributed and raised this bounty. We call on anyone who has any information on the matter to come forward. Besides this reward, we can promise you protection," said Benny Antiporda, Afima president and former NPC president.

Sumera, an anchor with dzME radio station, was shot dead near her home in Malabon City as she was preparing to go to dzME studios to host a public service program. [See: Female radio anchor shot dead in Malabon ambush] Although she was rushed to the Valenzuela General Hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said one of the possible motives they will follow up involves an alleged land dispute. While dozens of radio broadcasters have been killed in the Philippines, few have been killed in Metro Manila and perhaps even fewer have been women. According to a tweet by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, "8 women journos have been killed in the line of duty in the PHL since '86. If her case were work-related, Sumera would be the 9th." The watchdog group has recorded 177 work-related killings of journalists and media workers in the Philippines since 1986. Most dangerous The IFJ said the Philippines is among the most dangerous countries in the world for media personnel. Earlier, the IFJ issued an Action Plan to President Benigno Aquino III upon his inauguration last June 30, calling on his government to end the culture of impunity that has seen 144 media workers killed since democracy was won back in 1986. "Somera is the third journalist killed in 2011, following Palawan’s Gerardo Ortega and Abra’s Cirilo Gallardo. If proven to be work-related, her murder would be the fourth under President Aquino. She is survived by her husband and three children," the IFJ said. According to National Union of Journalists of the Philippines secretary general Rowena Paraan, Sumera is the 3rd media person killed in 2011 and the fourth under the Aquino administration that took the reins of government on June 30, 2010. Last January 24, Gerardo "Gerry" Ortega of Palawan was killed after his radio program. On February 1, police elements found the decomposing body of Abra journalist Cirilo Gallardo with 17 stab wounds. On July 9, 2010, Bicol-based radio commentator Miguel Belen was shot and succumbed to his injuries on July 31. The Philippines has been branded by international media support groups as among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, especially following the Nov. 2009 massacre of 57 people, including 32 journalists, in Maguindanao province, a crime blamed on the powerful Ampatuan clan. — RSJ, GMA News