The killing of radio commentator Leo Mila is conclusive proof that the Philippines is the most dangerous country in the the world for radio broadcasters.
Mila, a commentator for Radyo Natin, was shot dead outside the radio station in San Roque town, Northern Samar. Last month another Radyo Natin journalist, Arecio Padrigao, was shot dead in Misamis Oriental.
Known for his hard-hitting political commentaries, Mila was the seventh journalist killed in 2008, and the 62nd to be murdered since Gloria Arroyo became president seven years ago.
The International Federation of Journalists condemned the killing today. A statement on its website said:
"It is with great despair that we report the loss of another courageous journalist in the Philippines at the hands of murderers.
"The failure of Arroyo's government to show true resolve in protecting journalists in the Philippines is a disservice not only to the media as a pillar of democracy but to the general public whose right to information these journalists defend."
The IFJ also pointed out that the death toll for journalists "is the worst under any administration in the Philippines' history, including the regime of Ferdinand Marcos."
It also joined the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines in calling on President Arroyo to "acknowledge the unprecedented number of murders of journalists under her administration and to order the implementation of all measures to prevent further such tragedies."
Arroyo's government announced in a press release that it has "solved" the murder of Padrigao, but a source says that what the police have done is filed a case against two people alleged to have shot him, one of whom has previously described himself to a journalist as "a hired gun."
(Sources: GMANews.TV/PhilStar/IFJ)
