Just a day after the 23 November global International Day to End Impunity, commemorating a 2009 massacre in the Philippines in which 32 journalists were killed, a radio journalist in the Philippines survived a shooting attack.

On 24 November, Michael James Licuanan, or “James Dacoycoy” to his listeners, was shot by two assailants on a motorbike on his way home from work in Cagayan de Oro. Licuanan was also on a motorbike, when he was shot in the buttock; the bullet exited through his abdomen. Despite his serious injuries he still managed to run to a fire station nearby, where he was quickly taken to hospital and doctors performed an emergency operation on him.

The National Union of the Philippines (NUJP) believes that Licuanan’s work is mostly likely the reason behind his attack. Licuanan, a journalist for the Bombo Radyo station, is known for his outspoken show on the radio and has been investigating the illegal drug trade in Cagayan de Oro. For example, he commented and reported on the seizure of 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride and the arrest of an alleged criminal by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The reporter had received death threats in past weeks. According to the Philippine Star newspaper, the men who shot Licuanan had him under surveillance and had been following him. The police are now looking for the suspects by setting up checkpoints in the city.

According to IPI research, 121 journalists have been killed since 1986 in the Philippines because of their profession and even more alarmingly there have only been 10 convictions. IPI has already reported on the murder of four journalists in the Philippines this year alone; we have yet to see a conviction in a single case. Justice has also been elusive in the case of the 32 journalists, along with 26 other people accompanying a mayoral candidate, slain on 23 November 2009 in Maguindanao. So far, there have been no convictions, and the masterminds remain at large. Meanwhile, the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

Alison Bethel McKenzie, the Executive Director of IPI, said: “This case is atrocious and highlights why the International Day to End Impunity is so important and why there is still a lot of progress to be made. The history of violence against journalists in the Philippines has been tragic, with the Maguindanao massacre and the high number of journalists who are persecuted because of their work. Now is the time for action and change. We demand justice for Mr Licuanan. Impunity cannot and will not be tolerated. Our wishes are for Michael James Licuanan’s speedy recovery.”