'Solution rate higher than unsolved cases of journalists' murders

MANILA, Philippines - The solution rate is higher than the unsolved cases of journalists’ murders, although some witnesses who fear for their lives are reluctant to cooperate, a special investigative task force said.

Task Force Usig issued the statement in reaction to the report of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that killers of slain journalists remain unpunished because witnesses are intimidated.

TF Usig chief Director Raul Bacalzo told The STAR that of the 36 work-related incidents of journalists’ murders, 30 cases or 83 percent have already been filed in court and six or 17 percent remain under investigation.

Bacalzo noted that there were 19 suspects arrested, 11 surrendered, five convicted and three killed. Police are now hunting at least 20 suspects who remain at large.

“As in all cases, there are witnesses who would not cooperate. But take note, the solution rate is higher than the pending unsolved cases,” Bacalzo said.

TF Usig also reported three work-related cases of journalists’ killings from January to June 2009 where suspects were identified and apprehended.

These were the murders of Ernesto Rollin of Radyo Natin; Crispin Perez, former vice-governor of Mindoro and commentator of dwDO; and Antonio Castillo of tabloid Bigwas in Masbate.

Rollin was killed last Feb. 23 in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental while Perez was murdered last June 9 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and Castillo was slain last June 12 in Uson, Masbate.

Chief Inspector Henry Libay of TF Usig said police arrested Rollin’s alleged attacker, Ruel Jumalon, last May 24, while the suspect in the killing of Perez, PO2 Darwin Quimoyog, remains in the custody of Calapan City Police in Oriental Mindoro.

Libay said charges of murder have been filed against the assassins of Castillo who were identified only as a certain Joyjoy and several John Does.

The CPJ said witnesses to the gruesome murders of Filipino journalists live in fear and the killers of slain journalists remain unpunished because witnesses are intimidated.

CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative Shawn Crispin said the fear of reprisal causes many potential witnesses to look the other way in violence-prone areas of the country, allowing a culture of impunity to thrive.

CPJ is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.