UST journalism students condemn killing of Davao del Norte publisher

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Journalism Society has joined press groups that have raised the alarm over the killing of a journalist in Davao del Norte last week.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Davao del Norte Press and Radio TV Club had earlier issued statements on the death of Dennis Denora, who was killed in broad daylight last Thursday.

“While Duterte has formed the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, journalists still fall prey to violence, creating the impression that the president's move did little if not nothing to deter criminals like Denora's killers from committing their nefarious acts,” the student organization said.

Denora, a 67-year-old publisher of the Trends and Times community weekly and a former Sun.Star reporter, was shot dead by unidentified assailants while on board his vehicle in Panabo City in Davao del Norte.

READ: Davao del Norte journalist gunned down

He is the 11th journalist killed under the Duterte administration.

NUJP said Denora’s death “is a clear assault to press freedom, and it amplifies the existing climate of fear among journalists who are working in their local community.”

DNPRC, on the other hand, said Denora’s passing is a “tragic reminder” of the physical risks journalists take as they work in the field. It cited that Denora was even killed in borad daylight.

According to DNPRC, Denora is an officer and member of the Davao Region Multi-Media Group. The group described the late journalist to be known for his fearless forecasts in both newspaper and radio.

“We at DNPRC, believe it is not justifiable to take one’s life for personal or political reasons. His death awakens the anger and pains of journalists who do their job and yet are being judged by the pistol,” DNPRC said.

The press groups called for justice for Denora.

“His death underscores the worsening state of media killings in the country. With this, we want the government to take concrete actions to stop these senseless killings by speedily resolving these cases and bring people who attacked journalists to justice,” NUJP's Davao City chapter said.

The UST Journalism Society urged the government to create an environment that will allow members of the press to perform their duties as watchdogs of society and purveyors of information that empower the people.

“We urge law enforcement agencies to dispel notions that a culture of impunity is prevailing in the country by bringing the killers of Denora and other slain journalists to justice. We also ask the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to work closely with authorities to ensure the safety of media practitioners who are facing threats related to their work,” the UST Journalism Society said.

DNPRC said despite belonging to different clubs, it is willing to help and join forces in seeking justice for the death of Denora.

In this year’s Reporters Without Border’s World Press Freedom Index, the Philippines ranked 133rd out of 180 countries listed. The Philippines ranked 127th in 2017. — Rosette Adel