US envoy expresses concerns anew for media workers’ safety in PHL

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg expressed anew his concern for the safety of journalists and media workers in the Philippines.

According to a statement from the US Embassy in Manila on Friday, Golberg met last Wednesday with several media groups, including the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ), to "learn more about the challenges facing members of the media in the Philippines, including extra judicial killings and media killings."

Also present in the meeting were members of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the National Press Club (NPC), Kapisanan ng Brodkaster Pilipinas (KBP), and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the statement added.

Moreover, it said Golberg expressed concern for the lack of convictions over recent murders of media workers in the country.

The most recent case was the slay of broadcaster Samuel Oliverio, 54, who was gunned down on May 23 in Digos City.

Oliverio is the third journalist killed in the Philippines this year and the 28th killed under President Benigno Aquino III's administration.

A recent report by international watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists lists the Philippines as the third deadliest country for journalists in the world.

Golberg also reiterated the United States government’s continued support "for an open media environment, where journalists are free to work safely without the fear of being threatened or killed."

"The United States government continues to partner with the Philippine government to strengthen the judicial system, build the capacity of law enforcement to investigate crimes and address impunity, and train journalists in media ethics and standards," Goldberg was quoted as saying in the statement.

During the state visit of US President Barack Obama last April 28, Aquino said an Inter-Agency Committee has been formed to look into cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other serious violations of human rights.  — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News