New York, May 20, 2003—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today sent a letter of inquiry to Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo requesting that authorities investigate the murder of radio announcer Apolinario “Polly” Pobeda and attacks on several other journalists.
Pobeda was shot by unidentified assailants on Saturday, May 17 as he rode his motorcycle to work in Lucena City, Quezon Province. CPJ believes that Pobeda may have been targeted for his journalistic work. On his radio program “Who Are They?” (Nosi Balasi) on DWTI-AM, Pobeda criticized corrupt local officials.
Three other journalists have also been attacked during the last two months in the Philippines. According to CPJ records, 39 journalists have been killed for their work there since democracy was restored in 1986. No one has been convicted for any of these murders.
