Arroyo rule: 44 journalists have been murdered

Six journalists have been killed in the Philippines this year and 43 since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001, more than those killed under the 14-year Marcos dictatorship, according to the National Union of Journalists Philippines (NUJP). The Philippines was second only to Iraq in the number of journalists who died there last year. This year too the ranking remains unchanged.

STOP THE KILLINGS: Demonstrators march to protest against the government's failure to stop a spate of murders of leftist activists and journalists in Manila June 12, 2006 . Some human rights advocates and leftist groups have blamed the government for the killings and disappearances of more than journalists and activists since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo assumed power in 2001. The government denies the allegations. (Reuters/Romeo Ranoco)

NUJP note: This list is based on the databases of NUJP, the Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and the defunct Philippine Movement for Press Freedom, which monitored press freedom violations in the ’80s. The list contains only those journalists who were killed – or were most likely killed – because of their journalism work. In cases where it is not clear whether the death was work-related, or when the authorities could not ascertain the motives behind the killing, NUJP shall assume that the killing was work-related, unless future evidence points to the contrary.

Filipino journalists killed since 1986

1. Pete F. Mabazza; Manila Bulletin; April 24, 1986
2. Wilfredo “Willy” Vicoy; Reuters; April 24, 1986
3. Florante “Boy” de Castro; DXCP/General Santos City; 1986
4. Dionisio Perpetuo Joaquin; Olongapo News; April 12, 1987
5. Narciso Balani; DXRA / Davao City; August 27, 1987
6. Rogie Zagado; DXRA / Davao City; August 27, 1987
7. Leo Palo; DXRA / Davao City; August 27, 1987
8. Martin Castor; Pilipino Ngayon; August 28, 1987
9. Ramon Noblejas; DYVL/Tacloban City; August 28, 1987
10. Noel Miranda; Mindanao Scanner; March 29, 1988
11. Ruben R. Manrique; Luzon Tribune/Bataan; August 12, 1988
12. Josef Aldeguer Nava; Visayan Life Today/lloilo; 0ctober 30, 1988
13. Severino Arcones; DYFM-Radyo Bombo/ lloilo; 0ctober 17, 1989
14. Eddie Telan; Newscaster/Manila; December 1, 1989
15. Reynaldo Catindig Sr.; Northern Sierra Madre Express/Isabela; May 15, 1990
16. Jean Ladringan; Southern Star/General Santos City; July 8, 1990
17. Nesino Paulin Toling; Panguil Bay Monitor/ Ozamiz; April 14, 1991
18. Danilo Vergara; Philippine Post; July 1, 1992
19. Ladjid Ladja; Prensa Zamboanga; JuIy 3, 1992
20. Rev. Greg Hapalla; DXAS/Zamboanga; September 21, 1992
21. Gloria Martin; DXXX/ Isabela Basilan; December 30, 1992
22. Romeo Andrada Legaspi; Voice of Zambales; January 11, 1993
23. Rosauro Lao; Cotabato News; November 22, 1993
24. Ding Sade; Cotabato News; November 22, 1993
25. Ferdinand Reyes; Press Freedom/Dipolog City; February 12, 1996
26. Alberto Berbon; DZMM / Manila; December 15, 1996
27. Evelyn Joy Militante; GMA Channel 2 / Legazpi City; 1997
28. Daniel J. Hernandez; People’s Journal Tonight / Manila; June 3, 1997
29. Regalado Mabazza; Polaris cable network; December 17, 1997
30. Odilon Mallari; DXCP / General Santos City; February 1998
31. Rey Bancairin; DXLL / Zamboanga City; March 29, 1998
32. Nelson Catipay; DXMY/ Cotabato; April 16, 1998
33. Dominador “Dom” Bentulan; DXGS / General Santos City; October 30, 1998
34. Frank Palma; Bombo Radyo / Bacolod; April 25, 1999
35. Vincent Rodriguez; DZMM / Pampanga; May 23, 2000
36. Olimpio Jalapit; DXPR / Pagadian City; November 17, 2000
37. Rolando Ureta; DYKR / Kalibo, Aklan; January 3, 2001
38. Muhammad Yusop; DXID / Pagadian City; February 24, 2001
39. Candelario Cayona; DXLL / Zamboanga City; May 30, 2001
40. Joy Mortel; Mindoro Guardian; May 31, 2001
41. Benjaline “Beng” Hernandez; CEGP / Davao; April 5, 2002
42. Edgar Damalerio; DXKP, Zamboanga Scribe, Mindanao Gold Star / Pagadian City; May 13, 2002
43. Sonny Alcantara; Kokus, Celestron Cable TV / San Pablo City; August 22, 2002
44. John Belen Villanueva Jr.; DZGB /Legazpi City; April 28, 2003
45. Apolinario “Polly” Pobeda; DWTI / Lucena City; May 17, 2003
46. Bonifacio Gregorio; Dyaryo Banat / Tarlac; July 8, 2003
47. Noel Villarante; The Laguna Score/DZJV; August 19, 2003
48. Rico Ramirez; DXSF/Butuan City; August 20, 2003
49. Juan “Jun” Pala; DXGO/Davao City; September 6, 2003
50. Nelson Nadura; DYME/Masbate City; December 2, 2003
51. Rowel Endrinal; DZRC/Legazpi City; February 11, 2004
52. Elpidio “Ely” Binoya; Radyo Natin / General Santos City; June 17, 2004
53. Roger Mariano; DZJC-Aksyon Radio/ Laoag; July 31, 2004
54. Arnnel Manalo; DZRH/Bulgar/Batangas; August 5, 2004
55. Jonathan Abayon; RGMA Superadyo/ General Santos City; August 8, 2004
56. Fernando Consignado; Radio Veritas / Laguna; August 12, 2004
57. Romy Binungcal; Remate / Bataan; September 29, 2004
58. Eldy Gabinales (Eldy Sablas); DXJR-FM / Tandag, Surigao del Sur; October 19, 2004
59. Gene Boyd Lumawag; MindaNews / Jolo, Sulu; November 12, 2004
60. Herson Hinolan; Bombo Radyo / Kalibo, Aklan; November 13, 2004
61. Michael Llorin; Freelance photojournalist/ Manila; November 13, 2004
62. Allan Dizon; Freeman Cebu and Banat News / Cebu; November 27, 2004
63. Stephen Omaois; Guru News Weekly / Kalinga; December 1, 2004
64. Edgar Amoro; Freelance broadcaster / Pagadian City; February 2, 2005
65. Arnulfo Villanueva; Asian Star Express Balita / Naic, Cavite; February 28, 2005
66. Romeo Sanchez; DZNL, Baguio; March 9, 2005
67. Marlene Garcia Esperat; The Midland Review / Tacurong City; March 24, 2005
68. Klein Cantoneros; DXAA-FM / Dipolog City; May 4, 2005
69. Philip Agustin; Starline Times Recorder / Dingalan, Aurora; May 10, 2005
70. Rolando Morales; DWMD-Radio Mindanao Network, South Cotabato; July 3, 2005
71. Ricardo “Ding” Uy; DZRS-AM Sorsogon City; November 18, 2005
72. Robert Ramos; Katapat, Laguna; November 21, 2005
73. George Benaojan; DYDD, Cebu City; December 2, 2005
74. Rolly Cañete; DXPR, Pagadian City; January 20, 2006
75. Graciano Aquino; Central Luzon Forum, Bataan; January 21, 2006
76. Orlando Mendoza; Tarlac Profile / Tarlac Patrol; April 2, 2006
77. Nicolas Cervantes; Surigao; May 2, 2006
78. Albert Orsolino; Saksi Ngayon; May 16, 2006
79. Fernando “Dong” Batul; DYPR Puerto Princesa, Palawan; May 22, 2006
80. George Vigo; Union of Catholic Asian News / Midao; June 19, 2006
81. Macel Alave-Vigo; Union of Catholic Asian News / Midao; June 19, 2006