The International Press Institute (IPI) wrapped up a press freedom mission to the Philippines on Friday with a call on the Philippines government to end impunity in the killing of journalists.

The IPI delegation comprised: IPI Vice Chair Galina Sidorova, who is also chairperson of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism – Foundation 19/29, in Russia; IPI Board Member, and editor-in-chief of Switzerland’s leading Neue Zuercher Zeitung, Markus Spillmann; IPI Director Alison Bethel McKenzie; IPI Press Freedom & Communications Manager Anthony Mills; and IPI Senior Press Freedom Advisor Barbara Trionfi.

During the 21-23 September visit to Manila, the delegation met with high-level representatives of the office of Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Philippines Department of Justice, and the Department of Interior and Local Policy. Discussions centered around the need for reform of the the country’s judicial and legal systems, the need to combat widespread impunity in crimes against journalists, and the importance of bringing the country’s laws and practices in line with international standards on press freedom and freedom of information.

The IPI delegates noted that impunity fuels further attacks against journalists and media outlets, and constitutes a blemish on the country’s otherwise positive press freedom record.

According to IPI’s Death Watch, three journalists have been killed so far in 2011 in the Philippines, most probably as a consequence of their reports. In the cases of three additional media worker killings, the motives for the murders are not yet clear. Investigators have failed to identify the perpetrators and masterminds.

Impunity is not limited to crimes against journalists, IPI delegates were told during the mission. However, IPI underscored that special attention must be focused on crimes against journalists because of the grave repercussions of such killings on society and the country’s democratic institutions.

Journalists told IPI that since the 1986 ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy in the country, 145 journalists have been killed. In only seven cases have the killers been convicted.

IPI Director Bethel McKenzie said: “While we acknowledge that The Philippines is a functioning democracy, and that its press is free, we are alarmed at the continuing impunity in the killing of journalists. President Aquino must translate words into action. Pledges to uphold press freedom must translate into convictions for those who kill journalists. The unsolved killings are an ugly stain on an otherwise positive press freedom environment.”

IPI called for swift reforms in the country’s judicial system and, in particular, in the rules of court, which currently allow for lengthy trial proceedings.

Representatives of the media, civil society and the government generally agree that the current rules of court allow defense lawyers to drag out trial proceedings virtually interminably.

IPI also called on Assistant Secretary of Justice Geronimo Sy to help pave the way for the decriminalisation of libel, as part of a current criminal code revision process. International human rights courts have repeatedly ruled against criminal provisions for libel, which have a chilling effect on media reporting. Such courts have often noted the need for purely civil remedies for libel incorporating reasonable fines and compensation, and safeguarding press freedom. IPI welcomed an invitation by Assistant Secretary Sy to submit to the Department of Justice a “white paper” on libel, explaining the need for libel clauses to be scrapped from the penal code and substituted by civil law provisions.

In a meeting with President Aquino’s spokesperson, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, IPI welcomed the current administration’s commitment to press freedom and transparency, and urged the President to remain true to his pledges.

IPI recalled that during his election campaign President Aquino promised to pass and implement a long-overdue Freedom of Information bill. Unfortunately, discussions about such a bill have stalled. Furthermore, amendments to the current draft bill appear to contravene international standards.

Representatives of the media and civil society expressed frustration at the limited availability of training for journalists, and at the often limited skills of journalists in the provinces.