Gov’t task force to probe media killings ‘doing little’ —researcher

There is little evidence to show that the presidential task force created to investigate media killings in the Philippines is doing its job, a human rights researcher claimed on Saturday.

Veteran journalist Carlos Conde, a researcher for Human Rights Watch-Asia division, contended that there is  "little evidence" of the body's effort to actively pursue cases of attacks on journalists.

Conde cited the recent killings of Rudy Alicaway, radio DXPD host; Leodoro Diaz, reporter for Radio Mindanao Network; and the attack against Crisenciano Ibon, columnist for the tabloid Police Files Tonight.

"The murders last week of two radio journalists and the attack on a newspaper columnist last Thursday, highlight the need for the Duterte administration to deliver on promises to apprehend those responsible for the killings of journalists," Conde said.

"The deaths of Alicaway and Diaz brought to four the number of journalists killed since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016. Journalist Larry Que was killed on December 19 and Joaquin Briones on March 13," he added. 

In October 2016, Duterte signed an administrative order creating a task force that will look into violations of the right to life, liberty and security of the members of the media.

The presidential task force is expected to have an inventory of all cases of violence against the press perpetrated by state and non-state forces.

Conde pointed out that previous administrations also created similar task forces but "all failed to end impunity for those deaths."

"Despite its assurances that journalists are safer now, Duterte’s task force will suffer the same fate so long as the administration actively endorses extrajudicial killings," he said, adding that "without accountability for the killings of journalists, media freedom in the Philippines will remain under threat." 

Alicaway and Diaz were both shot to death by motorcycle-riding gunmen in separate incidents in Zamboanga del Sur and Sultan Kudarat.

Ibon, meanwhile, survives the attack, which authorities believed was a retaliation for his columns criticizing illegal gambling.

As of posting time, GMA News Online is trying to reach Malacañang for comment on the matter. —Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG, GMA News