Representatives of Bayan Muna Partylist believe that the culture of impunity “is spreading” under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration following the killing of journalist Melinda Magsino on Monday.
Magsino, 41, was a correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She was the 32nd journalist killed under the Aquino administration and 173rd since 1986.
“Some are saying that Ms. Magsino’s death was not work-related but nevertheless, the fact that this kind of crime persists is a reflection of weak law enforcement and the abhorrent culture of impunity is spreading under the Aquino administration. It seems that people are not afraid of the law anymore, to the detriment of media practitioners who investigate and expose corrupt practices,” said Rep. Neri Colmenares.
Meanwhile, Rep. Carlos Zarate, a former journalist himself said that “this dirty war against Filipino journalists and members of the press is emblematic of the present state of impunity that still continues even under the Aquino administration.”
“Journalists, political activists and leaders of progressive organizations continue to helplessly fall prey to assassins’ bullets simply because no real serious efforts are being done to bring the perpetrators to the bar of justice,” said Zarate.
Zarate said the government’s failure to prosecute the perpetrators shows that the administration gives “little or no importance” to stop impunity in the country.
