UNESCO Chief Deplores Killing Of Another Filipino Journalist
New York, Nov 25 2008 11:10AM
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has condemned the killing of Philippine
journalist Aresio Padrigao, the sixth media professional to be murdered in the South-East Asian nation this year.
Mr. Padrigao, 55, was shot by a motorcyclist as he was dropping his daughter off at university on 17 November in the
province of Misamis Oriental. He hosted a weekly radio programme on dxRS Radyo Natin (Our Radio), in which he denounced
cases of alleged corruption and illegal logging activities.
“I condemn the murder of Aresio Padrigao,” declared Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “It is essential for democracy and rule of law that journalists be
allowed to carry out their investigations and voice their views and conclusions.”
Mr. Padrigao also wrote a column for the community newspaper Mindanao Monitor Today. He had received death threats
prior to the shooting, according to the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).
According to CMFR, Mr. Padrigao is the sixth journalist to be killed in the Philippines this year.
ENDS