Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public information and mass media, assures the son (face covered with scarf) of Cavite-based journalist Rubylita Garcia of help in pursuing the case against his mother's killers. At right is Benny Antiporda of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists. SENATE PRIB PHOTO, ROMEO BUGANTE
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MANILA, Philippines – From January 2001 to May 2014, at least 115 cases of reported media killings were listed by the interagency task force commission but only 36 out of 48 cases of work-related murders were filed in court, the Philippine National Police (PNP) told the Senate on Tuesday.
Data submitted to the Senate committee on public information and mass media chaired by Senator Grace Poe showed 115 cases were reported to PNP, of which 42% or 48 cases were work related; 37% or 43 cases were non-work related and 21% or 24 cases are non-media practitioners.
Out of 48 work-related deaths of media workers, only 36 cases (75%) were filed in court; and12 cases (25%), are under investigation.
Among those accused in the work-related killings of media practitioners, PNP said the highest number of suspects were civilians, 22 or 62%; followed by policemen, 7 (19%); government officials, 5 (14%); and one each or 3% from communist groups and soldiers.
Three of the 36 work-related cases of media killings are still under preliminary investigation while 33 have been filed in court. Of these, 12 cases are on trial; 6 archived, 6 resolved with suspect’s conviction; 4 resolved with suspect’s acquittal and 5 were dismissed.
Reasons cited by police for the dismissal of cases were: non-interest of family; failure of witnesses to appear during trial; suspect is already dead; and insufficiency of evidence.
The PNP also reported that there about 73 identified accused in the 36 cases filed: 26 were arrested, 13 surrendered, 8 convicted, 7 died and 19 suspects are at-large.
The deaths of Edgar Damalerio of Pagadian City; Marlene Esperat of Tacurong City; Klein Cantoneros of Dipolog City; Armanda Pace of Digos City; Rowel Edrinal of Legaspi City and Gerardo Ortega were among the cases where convictions have been secured.
27 deaths under Aquino
Under the Aquino administration, the PNP reported 27 cases of media killings from June 30, 2010 to May 19, 2014; 19 cases were filed in court and 8 cases are under investigation. Out of 27 media killings, 11 are work-related while 16 are non-work related.
On the status of suspect, the Aquino administration has arrested 12 persons, 9 surrendered, 2 died, 1 convicted and 17 accused are still at-large.
Of the 11 work-related killings, 3 cases happened in 2011; 1 in 2012, 6 in 2013 and 1 in 2014.
Among those who were killed under the Aquino administration are:
1. Rubylita Garcia, radio commentator of DWAD in Bacoor City, Cavite
2. Rogelio Butalid, radio commentator of Radyo Natin, 107.9 in Tagum City
3. Joas Dignos, radio commentator of Radyo Abante in Bukidnon
4. Virgilio Bico, publisher of Kalahi tabloid in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
5. Fernando Solijon, block time at DXLS in Iligan City
6. Miguelito Rueras, correspondent of El Nuevo Bantay Radyo, Cebu City
7. Edgardo Adajar, block timer at 101.5 Hot FM in San Pablo City, Laguna
8. Julius Cauzo, radio announcer of DWJJ in Cabanatuan City
9. Johnson Pascual, contributor of Northeastern and columnist of defunct Prime News in Isabela
10. Romeo Olea, reporter and anchorman of DWEB FM in Iriga City, and
11. Gerardo Ortega, commentator of DWAR, Palawan
Poe calls for police direct line to media
Meanwhile, Poe called on the PNP to provide media professionals a direct line to police authorities in the wake of increasing crimes against journalists.
“Media should have a direct line to the PNP. So that if there is any threat, they will feel they have protection,” Poe stressed in a joint Senate hearing of her committee and the committee on justice and human rights chaired by Sen. Koko Pimentel.
Senator Poe heard Police Supt. Henry Libay report that out of 48 incidents of media killings since 2001, only six were resolved, with convictions.
“Unfortunately, the police would be involved in some cases. It is important to establish a reliable direct line that the media can trust. The rotten eggs in the basket give all of you [policemen] a bad name, But not all of you are like that,” Poe said, speaking partly in Filipino.
Poe also called on the interagency commission on extrajudicial killings to submit a progress report to the committee and put in a media representative to coordinate with on its efforts.
Rubie Garcia killing
The senator joined the National Press Club (NPC) headed by Joel Sy Egco and the National Confederation of ASEAN Journalists headed by Benny Antiporda in calling for the prompt resolution of journalists’ killings, particularly the recent murder of Robelita “Rubie” Garcia, whose son spoke at the hearing.
“Kahit anumang dahilan sa pagapatay sa iyong nanay, iyan ay mali dahil yan ay krimen,” Poe told Garcia’s son.
NPC’s Egco acknowledged Poe’s efforts in addressing threats against the life of Senate dzRJ/Saksi reporter Celestino “Jojo” Sicat.
Poe earlier called up PNP Spokesman Sr. Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac for help in protecting Sicat.
The senator also acknowledged NPC’s efforts to protect the family of Garcia, who was turned over to the Witness Protection Program on May 19.
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