EDITORIAL - Permanently silenced

Two weeks ago Bicol radio commentator Romeo Olea started receiving death threats in connection with his work. Yesterday, on his way to work at radio station dwEB-FM in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, the threat was carried out. Two gunshots hit the 49-year-old broadcaster as he drove his motorcycle along a highway.

Olea became the fourth journalist killed in the country this year. The death reinforced the Philippines’ reputation as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, ranking third behind Iraq and Somalia in the so-called impunity index drawn up by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Police said those who heard the gunshots in Olea’s murder failed to witness the actual killing. In the absence of anyone who can identify the triggerman, this crime looks headed the way of over 140 other murders of journalists since 1986 when democracy was restored: unsolved. More than 100 of the killings took place within the past 10 years.

The failure to bring perpetrators to justice gave the Philippines that high ranking in the impunity index. Seeing people getting away with murdering journalists has embol-dened others to permanently silence media critics. In the few cases where the triggerman was caught, the mastermind remained free.

Relatives of the fatalities believe the masterminds are mostly members of security forces, public officials or other individuals wielding enough influence to control the criminal justice system, from police investigation to prosecution and punishment of perpetrators. Since 1986, only a handful of people have been convicted for murdering journalists.

The worst attack on journalists was perpetrated in 2009, in the Maguindanao massacre that claimed 31 media workers, with a 32^nd still missing. At least the unprecedented atrociousness of the crime led to the arrest and detention without bail of key members of the once-powerful clan accused of responsibility for the grisly crime. But their trial is proceeding at the usual snail’s pace, and it remains to be seen whether anyone will actually pay for the crime. As long as murder is seen as the best way to silence media critics, Olea’s killing will not be the last.