Philippines
IMS was one of the few media organisations to rapidly respond to a massacre of journalists in 2009 on the Philippine island of Mindanao. Since then, IMS has dedicated on-the-ground services and resources to the protection and safety of journalists in the country. IMS quickly established a safety office on Mindanao and continues advocacy in concert with other media organisations by pushing for long-term legislative reform and organizing campaigns against impunity.Archive
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Two years on from Ampatuan: Impunity still reigns in the Philippines
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As 23 November marks the two-year anniversary of the killings of 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers in the Philippines, over 100 of the perpetrators have yet to be indicted
In the two years that have passed since the killings, 103 of the 196 suspects remain at large and only two of the principal suspects have been arraigned, according to a group of Filipino journalists covering the case.
Getting away with murder
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the past ten years have seen over 60 journalists killed in the Philippines. A large majority of the perpetrators have never been indicted, says Asia Pacific Advisor for International Media Support (IMS), Ranga Kalansooriya:
- Impunity is an overarching nationwide epidemic and the Ampatuan massacre is a symptom of this. To move forward we need policy change towards journalists and their safety. The government has to prove they are committed to free speech and the safety of journalists. Otherwise impunity will prevail.
Speaking at a press briefing earlier this month, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte promised to provide assistance to the families of the 58 people who were killed, while assuring the public that the Aquino administration "had not forgotten" about the case and that it hoped it would be resolved under its watch.
Safety issues persist
After the Ampatuan killings IMS and the Open Society Institute established a safety office on the island of Mindanao, which according to Ranga Kalansooriya has secured the lives of at least half a dozen journalists.
Highlighting the importance of continued safety measures comes also with the recent killing of Roy Bagtikan Gallego, a radio commentator in the town of Lianga. Where, according to local media, no suspects have been identified.
To raise awareness on the unsolved killings in the Philippines and others worldwide, the first International Day to End Impunity is being held today all over the world. Together with Article 19 IMS has marked the day by holding a silent vigil outside the Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian embassies in London to highlight the unsolved cases of murdered journalists in those countries.
Together with its partners, IMS continues its support to the Filipino journalists with training on safety and professional standards.
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