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Alert

Two journalists killed in separate weekend attacks

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Two journalists killed in the Philippines in 60 hours

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has serious concerns for journalists' safety in the Philippines following the murders of two journalists within a sixty-hour period.

According to IFJ affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), radio announcer Ricardo "Ding" Uy was gunned down outside his home in Sorsogon City on Friday November 18, 2005.

Police reported Uy was shot five times in the head, torso and mouth with a .45 caliber pistol at approximately 11am by a lone attacker on a motorcycle.

Uy was a radio announcer for DZRS-AM in Sorsogon City and president of the Media Reporters Association of the province and a Bayan Muna provincial coordinator for Sorsogon.

The ninth Filipino journalist to be killed this year was Robert Ramos, a reporter for Katapat, based in Laguna. Ramos was shot in front of a market in Barangay Loc, Cabuyao, Laguna on Sunday November 20.

The NUJP continues to investigate if the motives for both murders are connected to the journalists' work.

"These recent deaths are further evidence of the incredibly dangerous environment that journalists work within in the Philippines," said IFJ president Christopher Warren.

"It is inexcusable and incomprehensible that this level of violence against journalists is allowed to continue. The government of President Arroyo must take immediate and decisive action and bring an end to this violence," said Warren.

Uy and Ramos were the eighth and ninth journalists killed in the Philippines during 2005, the 72nd since 1986 and the 35th since president Gloria Arroyo took power in January 2001.

"The IFJ sends its deepest sympathies to Ricardo "Ding" Uy's and Robert Ramos's family and demands the police launch a full investigation into the killings ensuring those responsible are brought to justice," said Warren.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.