Whereas according to the Committee to Protect Journalists,
sixty-five journalists have been murdered in the Philippines in the past
two decades, a death toll trailing only Iraq.
;
Whereas, on the morning of November 23, 2009, 30
journalists and 2 media support workers were ambushed and murdered by more than
100 heavily armed militiamen as they accompanied a group to file candidacy
papers for Esmael Mangudadatu in what would become known as the Maguindanao
Massacre;
Whereas the primary suspects in the Maguindanao Massacre
have not been convicted of a crime, and additional suspects remain at
large;
Whereas, over the past 2 decades, Philippine authorities
have obtained convictions in only 5 murder cases involving journalists;
Whereas, on June 14, 2010, Desiderio Camangyan of Sunrise
FM, located in the southern Philippines, was shot and killed onstage while
hosting a singing contest;
Whereas, on June 15, 2010, Joselito Agustin, a broadcaster
with DZJC Aksyon Radyo, located in the northern Philippines, was ambushed and
shot dead by 2 gunmen as he was returning home from work;
Whereas the reporters who were killed were known for their
commentaries on corruption, illegal logging, and other political issues of
interest in the Philippines;
Whereas the Committee to Protect Journalists finds that
the culture of impunity that exists in the Philippines is unseen in any other
peacetime democracy; and
Whereas a free press is a hallmark of free societies and
is a vital tool in combating corruption: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of
Representatives—
(1)condemns the recent violence against
members of the media in the Philippines;
(2)expresses its
condolences to the families of Joselito Agustin, Desiderio Camangyan, and
others who have been victims of violence against the media; and
(3)calls on the
Government of the Philippines to fully investigate the murders of Joselito
Agustin and Desiderio Camangyan.