Candelario Cayona

Here are the Philippine journalists killed in connection with their work since 2000, as documented by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The Five Most Murderous Countries for Journalists

Despite a tumultuous political culture plagued by corruption, social unrest, poverty, and ethnic conflict, the Philippines steadfastly adheres to a tradition of free expression that makes it one of the most open societies in Asia. The constitution guarantees press freedom, and few government regulations control the print or broadcast media. The Philippine press proved stronger than ever in 2001.

New York, January 3, 2002--A total of 37 journalists were killed worldwide as a direct result of their work in 2001, a sharp increase from 2000 when 24 were killed, according to CPJ research. At least 25 were murdered, almost all with impunity.

The dramatic rise is mainly due to the war in Afghanistan, where eight journalists were killed in the line of duty covering the US-led military campaign and a ninth journalist died of wounds sustained there two years ago. This was the highest death toll recorded for a single country since 1999, when 10 journalists were killed in Sierra Leone.

Nueva York, 3 de enero de 2002 -- Un total de 37 periodistas fueron asesinados en todo el mundo como resultado directo de su labor en el 2001, un brusco incremento en relación con el año 2000, cuando 24 fueron asesinados, según las investigaciones del Comité para la Protección de los Periodistas (CPJ, por sus siglas en inglés). Por lo menos 25 de ellos fueron asesinados, casi todos con impunidad.

El dramático aumento se debe principalmente a la guerra en Afganistán, donde ocho periodistas murieron cumpliendo su deber al cubrir la campaña militar encabezada por los Estados Unidos, y un noveno periodista murió de heridas que recibió en ese país hace dos años. Este es el mayor saldo de víctimas que se haya registrado en un solo país desde 1999, cuando 10 periodistas fueron asesinados en Sierra Leona.

New York, June 7, 2001 - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the bomb attack yesterday on DYHB Radio Station in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and calls for a prompt and thorough investigation into the incident.

DYHB is known for its hard-hitting reports on local crime and drug syndicates, according to the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). It has also recently broadcast reports on the military's battle against Abu Sayyaf , an Islamic separatist group that is currently holding 13 Filipino and American hostages. The radio station is part of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), which has aired interviews in recent days with Abu Sabaya, the spokesman for the group.

May 31, 2001

Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace
Manila, Philippines

Via Facsimile: +63-2-735-6152

Your Excellency:

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to condemn the recent murder of radio commentator Candelario Cayona in Zamboanga City. We urge you to ensure that the murder investigation is conducted in a thorough and impartial manner.

New York, May 31, 2001 --- CPJ condemns the recent murder of radio commentator Candelario Cayona in Zamboanga City.

At about six a.m. on May 30, three unidentified men ambushed Cayona as he left home on his motorcycle to host a morning program at radio station DXLL. He died on the spot from four gunshot wounds, including two to the face. The assailants, all identified by the police as young males, fled the scene and have not yet been found, according to a local journalist who had spoken with the police.