Ending journalist killings
June 13, 2014
Investigative journalist Nilo Baculo was killed by unknown gunmen on a motorcycle on Monday (09.06.2014), after his bid to seek court protection was ultimately rejected by the authorities. According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Baculo is the 25th journalist killed in the Philippines since 2010. With over 140 murdered journalists since 1986, the Philippines is said to be among the top 10 most dangerous countries for media representatives.
Journalist Malu Cadelina Manar, an investigative journalist with more than 20 years of experience, knew Nilo well. She herself has received numerous death threats.
DW: Why do you think Nilo Baculo was killed?
Malu Cadelina Manar: According to professor and lawyer Harry Roque, one of the counsel for the families of the victims of Maguindanao Massacre, Nilo's application for protection order stated under oath that locally elected officials engaged in the illegal drug trade are out to kill him - meaning some locally elected officials in his town in Calapan Oriental Mindoro. But investigators refused to name the perpetrators.
You have worked as a journalist for over 20 years and you have also received numerous threats during this period. Can you describe the intimidation tactics used against you?
Just like Nilo, I was also a crusading journalist. In my city where I grew up - in North Cotabato in southern Philippines - I uncovered many graft cases that involved government officials and employees. I also reported election offences which raised the ire of many of the candidates. I also received death threats, which is almost part of my daily routine in radio broadcasting. This was why the management decided to transfer me to our sister station in North Cotabato.
If I were to be asked, I would still continue doing the job, but I had to reconsider since the threats were not only directed against me: The threats included my husband and two daughters. They were already targeted by those people who were out to kill me.
What keeps you going despite these threats? Have you ever considered giving up journalism?
I still hold on for three main reasons: First, this is where I get my salary to feed my family. Second, this is part of my crusade - that is, to continue the quest for truth and to make corrupt officials, government accountable for all their actions. And third, because of our continuing struggle to end the killing of journalists.
Why are the Philippines so dangerous for journalists?
It's a quandary - why journalists are being killed in the Philippines. Although the Filipino press is one of the biggest in Asia, the killing of my colleagues continues with impunity. So many journalist murders remain unpunished in the Philippines. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has launched several campaigns against impunity with regard to journalist killings. This campaign continues. The killing continues, and Nilo was among the victims.
If you could choose tomorrow's headline for the Philippines, what would it be?
That the mastermind for journalist killings would be punished, and that the freedom of information bill will be passed into law. And that journalist killings cease to happen in the Philippines.