Removal of Phl from Impunity Index eyed

The 2018 index looked at unsolved murders of journalists which happened from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2018.

Undersecretary Joel Egco of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) hopes that the impending resolution of the Maguindanao massacre case will delist the Philippines from the Global Impunity Index of the New-York based freedom watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

At a press conference on Friday, Egco said that of the 40 unresolved media killings in the Philippines on the CPJ’s list, 32 were victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

In the 2018 Global Impunity Index, the Philippines ranked fifth among the countries where murders of journalists are left unprosecuted. Included in the top five countries are Somalia, Syria, Iraq and South Sudan.

The 2018 index looked at unsolved murders of journalists which happened from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2018.

“Hopefully by next year we will no longer be in the list. By next year, especially with the promulgation of the Ampatuan massacre trial the 32 will be delisted and eight will be solved,” he said.

In December 2018, the Philippines was delisted from the Reporters Without Boarders’ top 5 most dangerous countries for journalists, according to Egco.

Despite improved status, Egco said the PTFoMS will continue its efforts, not just to improve the ranking but to stop media killings.

According to Egco, the PTFoMS monitored a total of 21 media killings since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed post. Out of the 21, five were found to be work-related, he said.