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Alert

Photojournalist killed in Calooncan City

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

Fourth journalist killed in the Philippines in 2006

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned about the safety of journalists in the Philippines after today's murder of a photojournalist in Calooncan City, bringing the toll of journalists murdered in the Philippines in 2006 to four.

Unidentified attackers reportedly ambushed and opened fire on Albert Orsolino, a photojournalist with Saksi Ngayon and former president of the Camanava Press Corps, at 11 am on May 16, 2006.

This makes Orsolino the fourth media practitioner to be killed just this year and the 78th since 1986.

This disproportionately high toll of media deaths has made the Philippines the second most dangerous country in the world for media workers, after war-torn Iraq.

It remains unclear if Orsolino's murder was in connection with his work as a photojournalist, but the IFJ demands a full investigation into his death.

"While we have focused on the shocking number of journalists killed in the Philippines, we must always remember that behind every senseless murder, there is a network of family, friends and colleagues who feel a deep and ongoing loss," said IFJ president Christopher Warren.

According to IFJ affiliate, National Union of Journalists (NUJP), Mendoza is the 78th journalist killed since 1986 and the 41st under President Macapagal-Arroyo's government (since 2001).

"The IFJ reiterates its calls for the government of the Philippines to act to put an end to these senseless murders and make concerted efforts to ensure the safety of journalists, and the convictions of perpetrators," said Warren.

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