List of journalists killed in the Philippines

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This is a list of journalists killed in the Philippines,^[1] sorted by date of death.

Background

Statistics

Despite the Philippines being one of most liberal Asian countries for journalists,^[2] Reporters Without Borders (RSF) had said that it is one of the world's deadliest for them, adding that violence against them continued even with the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) in 2016. In its press freedom index for 2022, the country, out of 180 evaluated by RSF, ranks 147th.^[3][4] Prior to that, the 2009 Maguindanao massacre caused the country to be ranked 156th by RSF the following year;^[5] 3rd in the Global Impunity Index (GII) since then until 2014, the country's worst;^[6] and to be listed as well in that year the world's deadliest for journalists;^[7] all by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The country had been on its list of the twenty deadliest from 2007 until being excluded in 2015.^[7] In 2018, the country was given a special citation as one of those with an improved ranking. Likewise, the country was reported by the RSF as one of the five deadliest countries for journalists in the world from the mid-2010s until being delisted in 2018. One of the causes is the PTFoMS' immediate action on various cases of killings and threats against the press.^[8]

The country, along with five others, has been in the GII since its launch by CPJ in 2008.^[9][10] The index measures deliberate, work-related killings of journalists, beginning from ten years prior.^[10] In the 2023 list, the country ranks 8th in terms of impunity in the killings, moving down from 7th in 2019–2022,^[9][10] and 4th in 2015.^[7]

Based on the data by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 199^[a] media workers have been killed since 1986, with all deaths included were in relation to their job. The highest number was under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with 103; including 32 of those murdered in Maguindanao in what was called the world's worst single attack on journalists,^{[4][6][13][14]} which made the year 2009 the deadliest for them.^[3]

Meanwhile, other groups also document such. A data from the CPJ shows 159 killed since 1992; UNESCO reported 117 since 1996, with majority of them having the state's publicized responses to Director General's request for information on judicial follow-up. Both includes the most recent, the death of Juan Jumalon in November 2023.^[15][16]

Prior to Jumalon's death, PTFoMS reported that there were 142 work-related killings, also since 1986.^[17]

RSF, on the other hand, documents those considered directly work-related a little less than that by NUJP.^[18]

Most deaths, according to NUJP

Various data show similarities seen in most of the killings. Incidents usually occurred in the provinces,[13] wherein victims working there as journalists exposed wrongdoings in their locality^[28] and were critical about these issues.^[18] For instance, a CPJ's database shows that among those journalists killed in 1992–July 2021, it was found that 94% were based in the provinces; a third of them had received prior threats.^[29] On the other hand, suspects, unknown and presumably hired killers, were hardly caught;^[28] very often they are motorcycle-riding assailants.^[27]

Both CMFR and the Philippine National Police reported in 2005 that of the journalists slain in the line or duty, seven were killed in crossfire: five during encounter with or being killed by the New People's Army (including two in an ambush in 1986); two during coup attempt especially in 1989 perpetrated by RAM–SFP–YOU.^[30][31]

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) has recorded, by April 2015, ten of those "killed in the line of duty since 1986" are women, four of them in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case. Excluding more than a hundred arrested in connection with the 2009 murders, four alleged gunmen in two of the six cases were arrested, one of them has been released.^[32]

Data show few out of the cases of media killings since 1986 People Power Revolution having developments. Combined data from CMFR (Nov. 2014) and PTFoMS (Jan. 2020) show at least 53 of the cases resulted in convictions;^[8] CMFR reported, by Apr. 2016, six in acquittals.^[33][c] Meanwhile, CMFR recorded, by 2011, 54% of the monitored cases considered "cold or dead" where police have been unable to identify and arrest any suspect.^[35] Furthermore, both PCIJ (in a February 2015 report) and CMFR stated that none of masterminds has been prosecuted and convicted.^{[36][37][35][38]} On the other hand, CPJ shows in its database that assailants in 97% of the recorded killings (1992–July 2021) are not yet punished; local government officials were suspected as the masterminds in more than half of the cases.^[29]

PTFoMS, created through Administrative Order No. 1 issued by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in October 2016, has been acting on the later cases; also, it has been gathering all data from various sources to map prior cases in the country and to exercise investigative powers on them; the results (shown at the table) until the 2019 verdict on the Ampatuan massacre case are recorded.^[8]

For those cases prior to 1986, various sources document such. According to the National Press Club (NPC), about 35 journalists were killed during the

In 2006, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo created Task Force Usig following increase of murders of journalists and activists. While the supervisory body reportedly accomplished police reform and increased coordination, among others, it was criticized by media activists for failure to provide its logistics, as well as being toothless; as working from Camp Crame, relies on local police investigators vulnerable to political pressure.^[35]

"Media killings" defined

The term has various definitions:

• NUJP considers all media killings as work-related, assuming as such those cases that are uncertain if work-related or whose motives are unknown, unless there is proof otherwise.^[35][23]
• CMFR defines media killings "as the murder of journalists and media workers", anyone who works regularly in certain media and its aspects regardless of work quality or status, but with clarification on categorizing as work-related the cases of targeted killings due to their reports.^[35] The case is classified as "in the line of duty" regardless of reported certain abuses in the practice being provoked the killing. Meanwhile, while CMFR acknowledges a case that maybe not work-related, it finds any evidence to indicate such motives until it is verified, delisting the case.^[36]
• For TF Usig, a journalist's murder must be "work-related" to be considered a media killing.^[35]
• PTFoMS initially presumes all reported killings of media personnel as work-related and takes initiative in the investigation as a matter of protocol.^[8]

In the case of 32 journalists slain in 2009 in Maguindanao, they are said killed in the line of duty, thus recorded by both CMFR and NUJP. This is contrary to what was said by the TF Usig that the incident is considered to be election-related; they were not the target of the killers and are considered "collateral damage". Moreover, media activists had been concerned with the task force's count beginning from 2001 as they recorded only a few percent of those in the tally of CMFR and NUJP.^[35]

Pre-1980s

• Antonio Abad Tormis, Republic News editor and columnist, was shot on July 3, 1961, in front of the Masonic Temple building in Cebu City. Felipe Pareja, city treasurer at that time, had been the subject of Tormis' commentaries on graft. Pareja, the mastermind, and the gunman, Cesario Orongan, were convicted and imprisoned. This is the only such case in Cebu considered work-related.^[36][39]
• Celso Tan, DYRL commentator, was shot dead in May 1967 in his home in Bacolod. He had been exposing in his program a criminal syndicate, which was later believed to be behind the killing. This is the first such killing in the city and in Negros Occidental.^[40]
• Ermin Garcia Sr., editor of the Dagupan Sunday Punch newspaper, was shot dead in his office by two hitmen in Dagupan, Pangasinan on 20 May 1966. The next edition of the Sunday Punch revealed that Garcia was working on exposing the illegal practices of some local politicians at the time, and that the killing was most likely related.^[41][42]

1980s

Pre-1986

• Demosthenes "Demy" Dingcong, Lanao provincial correspondent of Bulletin Today, was shot by an unidentified gunman in his house in Iligan, Lanao del Norte on December 5, 1980. He had written exposés about anomalies in the local government activities, including that on the missing fund intended for the students of Mindanao State University; also on military abuses, and the situation of the political prisoners in the province. He had already received threats from local officials.^[12][43]
• Geoffrey Siao, radio commentator and writer of the Philippine Post in Iligan, was murdered on March 2, 1984.^[12][43]
• Atty. Florante "Boy" de Castro, lawyer and news commentator worked at DXCP, who had reported suspicious local government activities in South Cotabato, was gunned down on March 9, 1984, inside his house in General Santos.^[12][43][e]
• Vicente (Vic) Villordon, DYLA anchor, a critic of both the Marcos government and the communist movement, was shot by two gunmen on December 28, 1984, outside the station in Cebu City. The case has been unsolved. In a 2006 report by The Philippine Star, a former communist rebel claimed Villordon and Leo Enriquez III (killed in 1987), his former colleagues in the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army (CPP–NPA), were killed by their comrades.^[36][39]
• Charles (or Charlie) Aberilla, DXWG (Iligan) commentator, on April 29, 1985, was killed by three armed men who had entered the announcer's booth while on-air.^[21][45]
• Nabokodonosor "Nabing" Velez, 47, DYLA anchor-commentator in Cebu, was attacked by six gunmen on June 1, 1985, while watching a beauty contest. Case is unsolved.^[36][39]
• Joselito Paloma, provincial journalist and publisher in Surigao, was fatally shot in his car on August 19, 1985.^[20]
• Eddie Suede, died 1985.^[23]
• Edgar Nagar of DXDC, Davao City.^[46]
• Gorge Batoctoy of defunct National Media Production Center, Davao City.^[46]
• Alexander Orcullo, worked for a newspaper in Davao, was gunned down.^[21]
• Noe Alejandrino of Bulacan, was claimed by the military as a Communist rebel leader who was killed after engaging soldiers in a firefight.^[21]

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990s

1990

1991

1992

1993

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Unknown date

• In the early 1990s, Pedro "Pete" Dahan, DXUM block-timer announcer, was shot dead in Davao City. The killing was linked to various angles more than being a journalist.^[46]

2000s

2000

2001

RSF reported two work-related cases: that of Ureta and Cayona. On the other hand, RSF said that by year-end, the killings of two other journalists could not be established if work-related.^[h]

2002

2003

CPJ reported six work-related murders; all remain unsolved and none were charged.

2004

RSF, noticing surge in violence in the election period, reported 2004, when general elections were held, as the deadliest year for the press at that time.^[49] That year and 2006 were the deadliest prior to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, based on NUJP data.^[3]

2005

2006

The years 2006 and 2004 were the deadliest prior to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, based on NUJP data.^[3]

2007

2008

2009

TF Usig documented five of these cases; classified that of Perez, Castillo and Linao as work-related, while that of Petalvero and Abbas otherwise.^[78]

Journalists killed in Maguindanao massacre

Thirty-two journalists were among

Fifteen of the 197 accused were members of the Ampatuan clan including the masterminds, former provincial governor Andal Sr., died July 2015, and his sons, Andal Jr. and Zaldy, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor. On December 19, 2019, in a verdict by Quezon City RTC, 28 principal respondents, including eight Ampatuan clan members especially the brothers, were convicted for 57 counts of murder, including 31 media workers, and were sentenced with reclusión perpetua without parole; 15 were sentenced to lower prison terms for being accessories to the crime.^{[8][32][36][11][81][83]}

By January 2020, four more accused, one of them among those acquitted, were under police custody; 77 remain at large.^[8]

2010s

2010

In the final month of the Arroyo administration, three radio journalists were killed.

The International News Safety Institute (INSI) reported that a total of 14 journalists died;[5]^[90] the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) documented 13 cases, nine of them targeted killings.^[91] Another four, died on duty at radio stations as super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) hit Tacloban, were also included by INSI^[5] and IFJ, which categorized them as accidental deaths.^[91] On the other hand, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said ten other media workers remained missing and were presumed dead.^[5]

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reported only 12 killed journalists.^[5]

Journalists killed during Typhoon Haiyan

Eight media practitioners were among those who died as Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) hit Tacloban on November 8; four of them in the line of duty.^[96]

Several local media stations and offices in the city were destroyed by the storm.^[97][98]

2014

2015

The CPJ excluded the country on its list of those twenty deadliest for journalists after eight years. It recorded at least seven media killings that year, though reportedly, none of them were work-related.^[7] In contrast, the CMFR said that nine journalists were killed; at least three of them work-related:^[7] Ybañez, Escanilla, and Maestrado.^[102]

• Nerlita "Nerlie" Ledesma, Abante tabloid reporter based in Balanga, Bataan, was shot and killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on January 8 while she was on the way to work.^[82]
• Maurito Lim, dyRD, died Feb 14
• Melinda "Mei" Magsino, Philippine Daily Inquirer, died Apr. 13^[n]
• Gregorio (Gregory) Ybañez, publisher of local weekly Kabayan News, president of Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club (DNRPC), and a director of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) bloc, was fatally gunned down at his residence in Tagum, Davao del Norte on August 18. He had been writing a column about an ongoing dispute between two DANECO factions; in that conflict he was involved.^{[14][46][102]}
• Teodoro Escanilla, program anchor at a local radio station (DZMS), chairperson of a local workers' organization and spokesperson of human rights group Karapatan, was shot by two gunmen outside his home in Barcelona, Sorsogon on Aug. 19.^[14] It was believed that his commentaries and being an activist are the possible motives.^[102]
• Cosme [Diaz] Maestrado, commentator at a local radio station (DXOC), was shot dead in front of a shopping center in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental on Aug. 27.^[14] He had received death threats; he survived an assassination attempt in 2011.^[102]
• Jose Bernardo, broadcaster (DWBL & DWIZ; Bandera Pilipino), was killed in Quezon City on Oct. 31. The motive is unclear.^[102]

2016

• Elvis Ordaniza, dxWO FM, died Feb 16
• Alex Balcoba, People's Brigada, died May 27^[n]

Two cases in the first six months of Duterte administration were recorded by the NUJP.

• Apolinario Suan Jr. of Real FM, former President of the Barangay Chairmen of Bislig and provincial board Member; killed in Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Motive is inconclusive.^[103][81] He had been critical of the mayor.^[8]
• Larry Que of Catanduanes News Now periodical, murdered in December in Virac, Catanduanes; had reported drug proliferation in Catanduanes. Case confirmed work-related.^[103][81] A resolution from the DOJ was issued, dismissing the murder complaint against five individuals for lack of evidence. In Feb. 2019, the provincial police turned over the investigation to a regional unit of the CIDG.^[8]

2017

Six deaths, all recorded by the NUJP, were also cited in a 2018 report by Vera Files. Three of them are confirmed work-related (That of Lozada is only considered the same by the PTFoMS):

• Joaquin Briones of Remate periodical, murdered on Mar. 13 in Milagros, Masbate.^[103][81] Four suspects were arrested for the killing. Possible motive was believed to be either local politics, which he had reported, or personal grudge.^[8]
• Leonardo (Leo) Diaz of Sapol News Bulletin periodical, also worked in Balita and Radio Mindanao Network; murdered on Aug. 7 in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; had reported on local corruption.^[103][81] According to the provincial police, the killing was possibly due to his personal affairs and activities. An arrest warrant was issued by the Tacurong RTC against one of the two accused.^[8]
• Christopher (Chris) Iban Lozada of DXBF–Prime Broadcasting Network, murdered on Oct. 24 in Bislig, Surigao del Sur; had reported local politics and corruption.^[103][81] By late 2019, suspects were indicted for the cases of murder and frustrated murder. Case is pending in court by early 2020.^[8]

Two others are confirmed non-work-related:

• Mario Contaoi of
  Magsingal, Ilocos Sur; had reported local politics and environmental issues before he left the station in early 2016.^[103][81] Possible motive for the killing was a personal grudge.^[8]
• Rudy Alicaway, program host at
  Radyo ng Bayan, incumbent barangay kagawad; shot and killed Aug. 6 in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.^[103][81] The motive was said to be most likely personal as he was linked in the death of a barangay chairman.^[8][i]

• Marlon Muyco, municipal administrative assistant in M'lang and, according to the police, a frequent guest in a program on
  M'lang, Cotabato.^[103][81][8]

• Michael Marasigan (retired journalist, former reporter and editor of BusinessWorld; independent producer for the Living Asia Channel; public relations person): With his brother, died when attacked by two unknown motorcycle-riding gunmen in San Juan on Aug. 3.^[104] Case endorsed for investigation by early 2020.^[8]
• Alexi Bolongaita, 29 (89.1 Power FM disc jockey): Shot dead inside her home at Cebu City on Sept. 21. A suspect, who was arrested in a hospital a few hours later, admitted to the crime and was charged with robbery and homicide and was arraigned in court.^[105] Case classified as non-work-related.^[8]

2018

NUJP recorded four of those listed. The cases of Denora and Llana are considered work-related by the PTFoMS; that of Sestoso is confirmed the same by another source.

• Edmund Sestoso, anchorman of DYGB-FM Power 91 Dumaguete, was riding a pedicab on Apr. 30 in Dumaguete when gunmen riding in tandem opened fire at him; was in critical condition until his death in a hospital on May 1; had reported local issues.^[103][81] At least three witnesses identified the two suspects, including the gunman, said introduced themselves as NPA members, planned for the killing as Sestoso was alleged to be responsible for framing up another suspect, an NPA commander and uncle of the two, who had been arrested in 2014 in Tanjay. Murder charges were filed twice in 2018 against the three. The first, supported by various evidence, was withdrawn by Sestoso's widow; the second was dismissed for lack of evidence. One of the suspects, Richard Bustamante Jr., died in a shooting incident in La Libertad later that year; another was wounded. Police investigators sought a reopening of the case.^[8]
• Carlos Matas (volunteer broadcaster of
  Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur when was ambushed by gunmen while riding on his way home to Pagadian.^[81] Later in the afternoon, an operation was conducted by joint law enforcement personnel, with three suspects, as well as a policeman, killed; another suspect was wounded. Personal motive was reportedly the reason. Three more suspects remain at large by early 2020.^[8]
• Panabo, Davao del Norte in what was suspected to be a politically motivated murder. He used to write a column for People's Daily Forum and Peryodiko Davao prior to setting up his own publication.^[46][81] Murder complaint and information were filed against a suspect and his unidentified companions. Case is pending in court by early 2020.^[8]
• Joey Llana,
  Daraga, Albay on July 20.^[81] In 2019, an information for murder was filed against a suspect. The case was raffled at the Legazpi RTC. Case is pending in court.^[8]
• Gabriel Alburo, announcer of DYJL-fm Like Radio Guihulngan, candidate for councilor in
  Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; shot to death on Dec. 28 by two unidentified gunmen riding in tandem while on his way home from the La Libertad cockpit arena. It was reported that the victim had an argument with a betting rival because of their bets. Investigation is ongoing.^[8][n]