MANILA, Philippines - A human rights group said President Aquino should speak out against the recent killings of three journalists and ensure that the authorities expedite their investigation.
“Unless the government brings people who attack journalists to justice, these killings are not going to stop,†said Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director Phelim Kine.
On July 30, Richard Kho and Bonifacio Loreto Jr., both columnists for the defunct weekly tabloid Aksyon Ngayon, were shot dead in Quezon City.
Two days later, freelance photojournalist Mario Sy was slain in General Santos.
Police have not made any arrests in connection with the murders.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the three recent killings brought the number of journalists killed in the country under the Aquino administration to 18.
“The Philippines has a reputation for having one of the freest media environments in Asia, but that reputation disappears bit-by-bit with every killing of a journalist. President Aquino needs to realize that this problem won’t go away on its own,†Kine said.