A radio journalist was killed yesterday in the Philippines, the first murder of a journalist since Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino became president of the country on 30 June 2010 promising to fight corruption and impunity.

According to IPI’s data, a total of 98 journalists have been killed in the Philippines since 2000 as a consequence of their profession, making the country one of the most dangerous for journalists. Almost total impunity reigns in journalist murders in the Philippines.

“We urge the government of President Aquino to condemn the murder of journalists in the strongest possible terms and to swiftly implement reforms that bring an end to impunity and highlight the importance of press freedom,” IPI Acting Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said. “Journalists’ ability to report on corruption and official wrongdoings without fear of retaliation is a key element in the fight against corruption, which President Aquino stated will be a priority of his government.”

Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega, a prominent environmental advocate and the host of a radio programme on Radyo Mo Nationwide’s Palawan station dwAR, was shot in the head while shopping in a clothing store in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan island, on Monday, 24 January.

One of the two hit-men allegedly paid to kill the journalist was captured by police while trying to escape the crime scene. He reportedly told police that he and his accomplice, who remains at large, were promised 150,000 Pesos (approximately 2,470 Euro) to kill the journalist. “The two men who paid them said their boss wanted to silence Ortega,” local police chief Superintendent Roland Amurao told AFP.

In his radio programme, Ortega strongly opposed large scale illegal mining activities, which caused environmental damage in the region. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Ortega was also a “staunch critic” of a powerful local politician.

The mayor of Puerto Princesa, Edward Hagedorn, told the media that Ortega was clearly killed because of his anti-corruption and pro-environment crusade.

Following Ortega’s murder, Senator Loren Legarda, a former broadcast journalist, called for the immediate passage of Senate Bill 1426, which imposes stiffer penalties for the murder of journalists.

“Even under democratic rule, violence against members of the Fourth Estate will not cease if we do nothing about it,” Legarda said. “We have to put a stop to the killing of journalists and media practitioners.”

IPI Director Bethel McKenzie offered her sincerest condolences on IPI’s behalf to the family, friends and colleagues of Gerardo Ortega.