Killed

February 13
Ferdinand Reyes, Press Freedom, KILLED
Reyes, editor in chief of the weekly newspaper Press Freedom, was shot in the head by an unidentified gunman as he sat at his office desk in Dipolog, about 425 miles south of Manila. The gunman then fled with an accomplice on a motorcycle. An attorney as well as a journalist, Reyes frequently wrote columns about official corruption and human rights abuses in the Philippines. He had also organized demonstrations against government policies that he considered unfair, such as the expansion of the value-added tax. Reyes had reportedly received death threats in the past, in response to his articles and activities. In a letter sent to the Philippine government the day after Reyes' assassination, CPJ called for a prompt and thorough investigation.

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December 15
Roberto Berbon, DZMM, KILLED
Berbon, a senior editor for the radio station DZMM, which is owned by the largest television and radio network in the Philippines, ABS-CBN, was shot and killed. At least two unidentified gunmen, armed with an automatic rifle and a pistol, fired several shots at Berbon in front of his house in Imus, 16 kilometers south of Manila. A stray bullet also wounded Berbon's wife, Sabrina, in her right thigh. The assailants fled immediately after the shooting, driving off in a waiting car. No motive has been established for the murder, but local media speculate that it may be linked to Berbon's leadership of an anti-crime organization. CPJ, which is continuing to look into the case, called on the Filipino government to vigorously investigate Berbon's slaying and to publicly disclose its findings.

For more information contact asiaweb@cpj.org