Demosthenes Dingcong

This is a list of journalists killed in the Philippines, sorted by date of death.

Background

Statistics

Journalism-related indices

Despite the Philippines being one of the most liberal Asian countries for journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said that it is the deadliest for them in the Asia–Pacific. Violence against journalists continued even with the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) in 2016. In its press freedom index for 2022, the country ranks 147th out of the 180 countries evaluated by RSF.

The 2009 Maguindanao massacre caused the country to be ranked 156th by RSF in 2010, 3rd in the Global Impunity Index (GII) from then until 2014, which was the country's worst ranking, and also lead to the country being listed as the world's deadliest for journalists in that year by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The country had been on its list of the twenty deadliest from 2007 until being excluded in 2015. In 2018, the country was given a special citation as one of those with an improved ranking. Likewise, the country was reported by the RSF as one of the five deadliest countries for journalists in the world from the mid-2010s until being delisted in 2018. One of the causes is the PTFoMS' immediate action on various cases of killings and threats against the press.

The country, along with five others, has been in the GII since its launch by CPJ in 2008. The index measures deliberate, work-related killings of journalists, beginning from ten years prior. In the 2023 list, the country ranks 8th in terms of impunity in the killings, moving down from 7th in 2019–2022, and 4th in 2015.

Tallies

Based on the data by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 199 media workers have been killed since 1986; all deaths included were in relation to their job. The highest number was under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with 103, including 32 of those murdered in Maguindanao in what was called the world's worst single attack on journalists, which made the year 2009 the deadliest for them.

Article updated until November 2023.

Other groups also report similarly high numbers. Data from the CPJ shows 159 killed since 1992; UNESCO reported 117 since 1996, with the majority of them having the state's publicized responses to Director General's request for information on judicial follow-up. Both include the most recent killing, the death of Juan Jumalon in November 2023.

Prior to Jumalon's death, PTFoMS reported that there were 142 work-related killings, also since 1986.

RSF, on the other hand, has an estimate of directly work-related killings that is a little less than the estimate of the NUJP.

Most deaths, according to NUJP and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), were radio personalities, especially blocktime commentators, many affiliated to local politicians as suggested by a research from CPJ, and as reported by PCIJ, had minimal awareness of journalistic ethics or libel laws. Most incidents occurred in Mindanao, according to PTFoMS.

Various data show similarities seen in most of the killings. Incidents usually occurred in the provinces, wherein victims working there as journalists exposed wrongdoings in their locality and were critical about these issues. For instance, a CPJ's database shows that among those journalists killed in 1992–July 2021, it was found that 94% were based in the provinces; a third of them had received prior threats. On the other hand, suspects, unknown and presumably hired killers, were hardly caught; very often they are motorcycle-riding assailants.

Both CMFR and the Philippine National Police reported in 2005 that of the journalists slain in the line or duty, seven were killed in crossfire: five during encounter with or being killed by the New People's Army (including two in an ambush in 1986), and two during a coup attempt in 1989 perpetrated by RAM–SFP–YOU.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) has recorded, by April 2015, ten of those "killed in the line of duty since 1986" are women, four of them in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case. Excluding more than a hundred arrested in connection with the 2009 murders, four alleged gunmen in two of the six cases were arrested; one of them has been released.

Data shows that few out of the cases of media killings since the 1986 People Power Revolution have had developments. Combined data from CMFR (Nov. 2014) and PTFoMS (Jan. 2020) show that at least 53 of the cases resulted in convictions; the CMFR also reported, by Apr. 2016, six acquittals. Meanwhile, CMFR recorded that, by 2011, 54% of the monitored cases were considered "cold or dead," where police have been unable to identify and arrest any suspect. Furthermore, both PCIJ (in a February 2015 report) and CMFR stated that none of the masterminds have been prosecuted and convicted.
The CPJ shows in its database that assailants in 97% of the recorded killings (1992–July 2021) have not yet been punished; local government officials were suspected as the masterminds in more than half of the cases.

PTFoMS, created through ''Administrative Order No. 1'' issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in October 2016, has been acting on the later cases; also, it has been gathering all data from various sources to map prior cases in the country and to exercise investigative powers on them; the results (shown at the table) until the 2019 verdict on the Ampatuan massacre case are recorded.

For those cases prior to 1986, various sources document such. According to the National Press Club (NPC), about 35 journalists were killed during the Marcos administration. NPC, as well as the military and a journalists' group in Manila, both reported more cases from mid-1984 to mid-1985, more than twice than the previous decade. Either military personnel or paramilitary units were the perpetrators in several cases. Few of these were said to be solved, few suspects were arrested, and at least a conviction was reported.

In 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo created ''Task Force Usig'' in response to the rising number of murders of journalists and activists. While the supervisory body reportedly accomplished police reform and increased coordination, among other accomplishments, it was criticized by media activists for failure to provide necessary logistics. Additionally, it was deemed ineffective as it operated from Camp Crame and relied on local police investigators vulnerable to political pressure.

"Media killings" defined

The term has various definitions:
* NUJP considers all media killings as work-related, assuming as such those cases that are uncertain if work-related or whose motives are unknown, unless there is proof otherwise.
* CMFR defines media killings as "the murder of journalists and media workers," encompassing anyone who works regularly in certain media and its aspects regardless of work quality or status, with clarification on categorizing as work-related the cases of targeted killings due to their reports. The case is classified as "in the line of duty" regardless of reported certain abuses in the practice being provoked the killing. Meanwhile, while CMFR acknowledges a case that may be not work-related, it finds no evidence to indicate such motives until it is verified, delisting the case.
* CPJ records journalist killings if there are reasonable grounds to believe these are work-related.
* For ''TF Usig'', a journalist's murder must be "work-related" to be considered a media killing.
* PTFoMS focuses on the case depending on the definition of "media members" or those considered as workers, which excludes guests invited by media entities; initially presumes all reported killings of such personnel as work-related and takes initiative in the investigation as a matter of protocol.

In the case of 32 journalists slain in 2009 in Maguindanao, they are said to be killed in the line of duty, thus recorded by both CMFR and NUJP. This is contrary to what was said by the ''TF Usig'', as the incident is considered to be election-related; they were not the target of the killers and are considered "collateral damage". Moreover, media activists have been concerned with the task force's count beginning from 2001, as they recorded only a few percent of those in the tally of CMFR and NUJP.

Pre-1980s

* Antonio Abad Tormis, ''Republic News'' editor and columnist, was shot on July 3, 1961, in front of the Masonic Temple building in Cebu City. Felipe Pareja, city treasurer at that time, had been the subject of Tormis' commentaries on graft. Pareja, the mastermind, and the gunman, Cesario Orongan, were convicted and imprisoned. This is the only such case in Cebu considered work-related.
* Ermin Garcia Sr., editor of the Dagupan ''Sunday Punch'' newspaper, was shot dead in his office by two hitmen in Dagupan, Pangasinan on 20 May 1966. The next edition of the ''Sunday Punch'' revealed that Garcia was working on exposing the illegal practices of some local politicians at the time, and that the killing was most likely related. ''(Originally published as an article for the ''Diario Uno'' newspaper in 1998.)''
* Celso Tan, DYRL commentator, was shot dead in May 1967 in his home in Bacolod. He had been exposing in his program a criminal syndicate, which was later believed to be behind the killing. This is the first such killing in the city and in Negros Occidental.

1980s

Pre-1986

* Demosthenes "Demy" Dingcong, Lanao provincial correspondent of ''Bulletin Today'', was shot by an unidentified gunman in his house in Iligan, Lanao del Norte on December 5, 1980. He had written exposés about anomalies in the local government activities, including that on the missing fund intended for the students of Mindanao State University; also on military abuses, and the situation of the political prisoners in the province. He had already received threats from local officials.
* Geoffrey Siao, radio commentator and writer of the ''Philippine Post'' in Iligan, was murdered on March 2, 1984.
* Florante "Boy" de Castro, lawyer and news commentator worked at DXCP, who had reported suspicious local government activities in South Cotabato, was gunned down on March 9, 1984, inside his house in General Santos.
* Vicente (Vic) Villordon, DYLA anchor, a critic of both the Marcos government and the communist movement, was shot by two gunmen on December 28, 1984, outside the station in Cebu City. The case has been unsolved. In a 2006 report by ''The Philippine Star'', a former communist rebel claimed Villordon and Leo Enriquez III (killed in 1987), his former colleagues in the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army (CPP–NPA), were killed by their comrades.
* Charles (or Charlie) Aberilla, DXWG (Iligan) commentator, on April 29, 1985, was killed by three armed men who had entered the announcer's booth while on-air.
* Nabokodonosor "Nabing" Velez, 47, DYLA anchor-commentator in Cebu, was attacked by six gunmen on June 1, 1985, while watching a beauty contest. Case is unsolved.
* Joselito Paloma, provincial journalist and publisher in Surigao, was fatally shot in his car on August 19, 1985.
* Eddie Suede, died 1985.
* Edgar Nagar of DXDC, Davao City.
* Gorge Batoctoy of defunct National Media Production Center, Davao City.
* Alexander Orcullo, worked for a newspaper in Davao, was gunned down.
* Noe Alejandrino of Bulacan, was claimed by the military as a Communist rebel leader who was killed after engaging soldiers in a firefight.

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990s

1990

1991

1992

1993

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Unknown date

* In the early 1990s, Pedro "Pete" Dahan, DXUM block-timer announcer, was shot dead in Davao City. The killing was linked to various angles more than being a journalist.

2000s

2000

2001

RSF reported two work-related cases: that of Ureta and Cayona. On the other hand, RSF said that by year-end, the killings of two other journalists could not be established if work-related.

2002

2003

CPJ reported six work-related murders; all remain unsolved and none were charged.

2004

RSF, noticing surge in violence in the election period, reported 2004, when general elections were held, as the deadliest year for the press at that time. That year and 2006 were the deadliest prior to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, based on NUJP data.

2005

2006

The years 2006 and 2004 were the deadliest prior to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, based on NUJP data.

2007

2008

2009

''TF Usig'' documented five of these cases; classified that of Perez, Castillo and Linao as work-related, while that of Petalvero and Abbas otherwise.

Journalists killed in Maguindanao massacre

Thirty-two journalists were among 58 people murdered on November 23, 2009 in Maguindanao as they accompanied the convoy of the family and supporters of Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu; and were about to cover the filing of candidacy on the latter's behalf for provincial governor of Maguindanao for the 2010 election. They had departed from Mangudadatu's residence and before reaching Shariff Aguak, came across the ruling Ampatuan family's "private army" of approximately 200, allegedly led by Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and with law enforcement authorities, at Ampatuan town. The Ampatuans waylaid the group, as well as passers-by and diverted them to a hill wherein they shot the victims dead, with their bodies and some of the vehicles later buried in the pits by clan members. Within few days, all were retrieved except a body of one journalist which remains missing. This incident is the world's single worst attack on the media members and the country's worst incident of electoral violence.''2009 Maguindanao massacre case:''
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These publications include the list of journalists killed (1986–Jan. 2015), citing the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

The incident resulted in the declaration of martial law by President Arroyo in December, which lasted for nine days.

Fifteen of the 197 accused were members of the Ampatuan clan including the masterminds, former provincial governor Andal Sr., died July 2015, and his sons, Andal Jr. and Zaldy, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor. On December 19, 2019, in a verdict by Quezon City RTC, 28 principal respondents, including eight Ampatuan clan members especially the brothers, were convicted for 57 counts of murder, including 31 media workers, and were sentenced with ''reclusión perpetua'' without parole; 15 were sentenced to lower prison terms for being accessories to the crime.

By January 2020, four more accused, one of them among those acquitted, were under police custody; 77 remain at large.

2010s

2010

In the final month of the Arroyo administration, three radio journalists were killed. Desidario Camangyan was killed while hosting a singing contest at Manay, Davao Oriental on June 14. Within 48 hours, Joselito Agustin was murdered in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, for his political reporting. Nestor Bedolido was the last journalist killed that month.

2011

2012

2013

The International News Safety Institute (INSI) reported that a total of 14 journalists died; the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) documented 13 cases, nine of them targeted killings. Another four, died on duty at radio stations as super typhoon Haiyan (''Yolanda'') hit Tacloban, were also included by INSI and IFJ, which categorized them as accidental deaths. On the other hand, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said ten other media workers remained missing and were presumed dead.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reported only 12 killed journalists.

Journalists killed during Typhoon Haiyan

Eight media practitioners were among those who died as Typhoon Haiyan (''Yolanda'') hit Tacloban on November 8; four of them in the line of duty.

Several local media stations and offices in the city were destroyed by the storm.
*

2014

2015

The CPJ excluded the country on its list of those twenty deadliest for journalists after eight years. It recorded at least seven media killings that year, though reportedly, none of them were work-related. In contrast, the CMFR said that nine journalists were killed; at least three of them work-related: Ybañez, Escanilla, and Maestrado.
* Nerlita "Nerlie" Ledesma, ''Abante'' tabloid reporter based in Balanga, Bataan, was shot and killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on January 8 while she was on the way to work.
* Maurito Lim, dyRD, died Feb 14
* Melinda "Mei" Magsino, Philippine Daily Inquirer, died Apr. 13
* Gregorio (Gregory) Ybañez, publisher of local weekly ''Kabayan News'', president of ''Davao del Norte Press and Radio-TV Club'' (DNRPC), and a director of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) bloc, was fatally gunned down at his residence in Tagum, Davao del Norte on August 18. He had been writing a column about an ongoing dispute between two DANECO factions; in that conflict he was involved.
* Teodoro Escanilla, program anchor at a local radio station (DZMS), chairperson of a local workers' organization and spokesperson of human rights group ''Karapatan'', was shot by two gunmen outside his home in Barcelona, Sorsogon on Aug. 19. It was believed that his commentaries and being an activist are the possible motives.
* Cosme iazMaestrado, commentator at a local radio station ( DXOC), was shot dead in front of a shopping center in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental on Aug. 27. He had received death threats; he survived an assassination attempt in 2011.
* Jose Bernardo, broadcaster (DWBL & DWIZ; ''Bandera Pilipino''), was killed in Quezon City on Oct. 31. The motive is unclear.

2016

* Elvis Ordaniza, dxWO FM, died Feb 16
* Alex Balcoba, ''People's Brigada'', died May 27

Two cases in the first six months of Duterte administration were recorded by the NUJP.
* Apolinario Suan Jr. of ''Real FM'', former President of the Barangay Chairmen of Bislig and provincial board Member; killed in Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Motive is inconclusive. He had been critical of the mayor.
* Larry Que of ''Catanduanes News Now'' periodical, murdered in December in Virac, Catanduanes; had reported drug proliferation in Catanduanes. Case confirmed work-related.

Information are from the data provided by Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. A resolution from the DOJ was issued, dismissing the murder complaint against five individuals for lack of evidence. In Feb. 2019, the provincial police turned over the investigation to a regional unit of the CIDG.

2017

Six deaths, all recorded by the NUJP, were also cited in a 2018 report by Vera Files. Three of them are confirmed work-related (That of Lozada is only considered the same by the PTFoMS):
* Joaquin Briones of ''Remate'' periodical, murdered on Mar. 13 in Milagros, Masbate. Four suspects were arrested for the killing. Possible motive was believed to be either local politics, which he had reported, or personal grudge.
* Leonardo (Leo) Diaz of ''Sapol News Bulletin'' periodical, also worked in ''Balita'' and Radio Mindanao Network; murdered on Aug. 7 in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; had reported on local corruption. According to the provincial police, the killing was possibly due to his personal affairs and activities. An arrest warrant was issued by the Tacurong RTC against one of the two accused.
* Christopher (Chris) Iban Lozada of DXBF– Prime Broadcasting Network, murdered on Oct. 24 in Bislig, Surigao del Sur; had reported local politics and corruption. By late 2019, suspects were indicted for the cases of murder and frustrated murder. ''Case is pending in court by early 2020.''

Two others are confirmed non-work-related:
* Mario Contaoi of DZNS ''Radyo Totoo'', former reporter and university professor; killed on Jan. 6 in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur; had reported local politics and environmental issues before he left the station in early 2016. Possible motive for the killing was a personal grudge.
* Rudy Alicaway, program host at DXPB-fm '' Radyo ng Bayan'', incumbent barangay kagawad; shot and killed Aug. 6 in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur. The motive was said to be most likely personal as he was linked in the death of a barangay chairman.

The motive of another case is reportedly inconclusive by mid-2018:
* Marlon Muyco, municipal administrative assistant in M'lang and, according to the police, a frequent guest in a program on DXND ''Radyo Bida'' Kidapawan; killed in February in M'lang, Cotabato.

Other non-work-related cases include:
* Michael Marasigan (retired journalist, former reporter and editor of ''BusinessWorld''; independent producer for the Living Asia Channel; public relations person): With his brother, died when attacked by two unknown motorcycle-riding gunmen in San Juan on Aug. 3. Case endorsed for investigation by early 2020.
* Alexi Bolongaita, 29 ('' 89.1 Power FM'' disc jockey): Shot dead inside her home at Cebu City on Sept. 21. A suspect, who was arrested in a hospital a few hours later, admitted to the crime and was charged with robbery and homicide and was arraigned in court. Case classified as non-work-related.

2018

NUJP recorded four of those listed. The cases of Denora and Llana are considered work-related by the PTFoMS; that of Sestoso is confirmed the same by another source.
* Edmund Sestoso, anchorman of DYGB-FM ''Power 91'' Dumaguete, was riding a pedicab on Apr. 30 in Dumaguete when gunmen riding in tandem opened fire at him; was in critical condition until his death in a hospital on May 1; had reported local issues. At least three witnesses identified the two suspects, including the gunman, said introduced themselves as NPA members, planned for the killing as Sestoso was alleged to be responsible for framing up another suspect, an NPA commander and uncle of the two, who had been arrested in 2014 in Tanjay. Murder charges were filed twice in 2018 against the three. The first, supported by various evidence, was withdrawn by Sestoso's widow; the second was dismissed for lack of evidence. One of the suspects, Richard Bustamante Jr., died in a shooting incident in La Libertad later that year; another was wounded. Police investigators sought a reopening of the case.
* Carlos Matas (volunteer broadcaster of DXCA-fm; retired soldier), died on the spot on May 12 in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur when was ambushed by gunmen while riding on his way home to Pagadian. Later in the afternoon, an operation was conducted by joint law enforcement personnel, with three suspects, as well as a policeman, killed; another suspect was wounded. Personal motive was reportedly the reason. Three more suspects remain at large by early 2020.
* Dennis Denora, publisher-editor of weekly ''Trends and Times'' (Panabo) and DNPRC president, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants on June 7 in Panabo, Davao del Norte in what was suspected to be a politically motivated murder. He used to write a column for ''People's Daily Forum'' and ''Peryodiko Davao'' prior to setting up his own publication. Murder complaint and information were filed against a suspect and his unidentified companions. ''Case is pending in court by early 2020.''
* Joey Llana, ''Home Radio'' Legazpi, declared dead two hours after being shot while on his way to work in Daraga, Albay on July 20. In 2019, an information for murder was filed against a suspect. The case was raffled at the Legazpi RTC. ''Case is pending in court.''
* Gabriel Alburo, announcer of DYJL-fm ''Like Radio'' Guihulngan, candidate for councilor in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; shot to death on Dec. 28 by two unidentified gunmen riding in tandem while on his way home from the La Libertad cockpit arena. It was reported that the victim had an argument with a betting rival because of their bets. Investigation is ongoing.

Non-work-related cases include:
* Jessie M. Cano, 50 (administrative aide at the government-owned DXSO ''Radyo Pilipinas'' Marawi; Army Reservist): Shot dead by unknown assailants as he arrived home in a village inside the Mindanao State University Campus in Marawi, Lanao del Sur on June 23. Several possible angles were seen, including his work with the military, making him a possible target of Islamic State sympathizers.
* Manny Lacsamana, 51 (contributor to the regional monthly ''The Media Messenger''; chairman of the board of a provincial chapter of the Central Luzon Media Association; businessman and property developer): Shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen, died upon arrival in a hospital in Cabanatuan on June 23. The murder was reportedly related to his work as a property developer and occurred over quarrying issues in Nueva Ecija.''2018 Cano and Lacsamana cases:''
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All were retrieved Nov 1, 2022.
* Julius Barellano, 35 (volunteer reporter for 101.5 '' Radyo Bandera Sweet FM'' Bacolod, disc jockey at ''Brigada News FM'' San Carlos, Negros Occidental; chairman of a local chapter of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers in San Carlos): Died on June 27 after being shot by one of two unknown motorcycle-riding assailants in front of his house in San Carlos while leaving. A personal grudge was revealed as the motive because of an argument between the victim and suspect.
* Nelvie Yu, 29 (reporter at 101.7 '' Spirit FM'' Baler, Aurora): Found dead in their residence in Dingalan, Aurora on Aug. 4. Her husband was considered a person of interest as the victim allegedly had an argument with him on the night before.
* Celso Amo, 66 ( Bicol correspondent of ''The Philippine Star'', Philippine News Agency stringer, also worked for the defunct ''Philippine Journal''; editor-in-chief of government publication ''The Windows''; former regional information officer of the Philippine Information Agency): stabbed to death at a basketball court in Daraga, Albay on Nov. 11 following an argument. Adam Johnson Abanes, charged with homicide, later pleaded guilty of death by tumultuous affray through the plea bargain and was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Legazpi RTC in 2021.

2019

NUJP recorded three of those listed.
* John Michael Decano (part-time news correspondent, announcer of DWPY ''Pasalingaya FM'' in Sorsogon; beautician), found dead on Jan. 9 inside a parlor in Sorsogon City. His death in what appeared as robbery with homicide is not work-related.
* Francisco Patindol ( DXJM-FM Butuan daily program blocktime commentator, former program director of its sister station DXCO-AM Opol, Misamis Oriental; local coordinator of the ''Abante Mindanao'' partylist): On Apr. 20, he was stabbed by a drunk jeepney dispatcher who had got into an argument with him and his companion outside a photocopying center in Butuan; he managed to walk to a nearby hospital where he later died.
* Eduardo Dizon, station manager and host at ''Brigada News FM'' Kidapawan station, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen while driving home on July 10 in Kidapawan, Cotabato. He was critical of the Kapa investment scam in his commentaries over his program, which was later said as the motive for the killing. A suspect-turned-eyewitness identified a local Kapa leader, who was also a local broadcaster, as the mastermind. In late 2019, three other suspects were indicted for the murder in the Kidapawan RTC. Since 2021, the case was heard by the Davao City RTC which, in March 2024, acquitted one of the suspects, also a broadcaster of ''Radyo Natin FM'' Kidapawan. The suspected gunman was arrested in April 2024, while the rest remain at large. The venue for the trial was moved to Quezon City RTC through a July 2024 resolution by the Supreme Court.
* Dindo Generoso, DYEM-FM ''Bai Radio'', died in November in Dumaguete. ''Charges were filed against suspect/s; case is pending in court.''
* Benjie Caballero, Radyo ni Juan, died in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

2020s

2020

* Cornelio Pepino, ''Original Energy 93.7 FM'', murdered in May in Dumaguete.
* Jobert Bercasio, ''Balangibog'', murdered Sep 14 in Sorsogon City.
* Virgilio Maganes; DWPR, ''Northern Watch''; murdered on Nov 10 in Villasis, Pangasinan. He was shot in a prior incident in 2016.
* Ronnie Villamor, ''Dos Kantos Balita'', was gunned down on Nov 14 in Milagros, Masbate in an alleged encounter as authorities claimed. His colleagues denied the allegation.

Information are from National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

2021

* Renante Cortes, dyRB, murdered July 22
* Orlando "Dondon" Dinoy; ''Newsline Philippines'', Energy FM; died Oct 30
* Jesus "Jess" Malabanan (''Manila Standard'', ''Manila Times'', ''Bandera'') was fatally shot in his home in Samar on Dec. 8. He went into hiding after receiving threats three years prior while he was based in Pampanga.

2022

Six killings, all against radio journalists, took place. The murders of Estrada, Gempesaw, Blanco and Mabasa are unsolved by August 2023, according to CPJ. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Journalists documented four of these cases.
* Jaynard Angeles, killed Jan. 12
* Audrey Estrada was killed in Lanao del Norte on Mar. 17.
* Jhannah Villegas (''Sagad'' & ''Bugso'', ''Radyo Ukay'' and ''Energy FM 106.7'') was shot dead by unidentified assailants at her home in Maguindanao on Apr. 15. She had reportedly received threats due to her criticisms.
* Federico "Ding" Gempesaw, political commentator and daily blocktime program host at ''Radyo Natin'' 106.3 FM Cagayan de Oro, died immediately after being shot by two masked men in front of his residence on June 29. An arrest warrant was later issued by the Misamis Oriental RTC Branch 39 against the suspects; the alleged gunman, was arrested by the police on Oct. 31, 2023; another is still at large.
* Renato (Rey) Blanco, broadcaster for ''Power 102.1 DYRY RFM'' in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, was declared dead on arrival in a local hospital in the town after being stabbed in an altercation at a house on Sept. 18. The killing was considered by the NUJP as work-related.
* Percival " Percy Lapid" Mabasa, commentator and program host at DWBL 1242, was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants outside a village in Las Piñas on Oct. 3. A critic of the national government, he was known for criticizing political issues, particularly red-tagging and harassment against a Manila judge. Eleven people were later indicted as principals, including two former Bureau of Corrections officials who are the alleged masterminds in the killing of Mabasa and alleged middleman Jun Villamor: deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, reportedly died in March 2024; and chief Gerald Bantag, who is still at large. Through plea bargaining, Joel Escorial, the self-confessed gunman who claimed that the plot came from the New Bilibid Prison, as well as four of the five inmates, later pleaded guilty and were given lower prison sentences by the RTC.

2023

''The following are based on media reports:''
* Cresenciano Bunduquin, 50, program host at DWXR-fm ''Kalahi Radio'', was killed by two motorcycle-riding perpetrators outside his home in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on May 31. One of the suspects died after being hit by a vehicle while fleeing; another, an alleged gunman, was taken into custody of the NBI– National Capital Region prior to his arrest in July. The case was filed before the Calapan RTC Branch 39.
* Mohammad Hessam Midtimbang, 32, blocktime program host at ''Gabay Radio 97.7 FM'', an Islamic preacher and member of the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta', was killed by a gunman in Cotabato City on August 21. PTFoMS clarified later that he was not a journalist but an Islamic scholar ('' ustadz'') invited by the station as guest. Possible motives being investigated are politics and personal issues.
* Juan Jumalon, 57, broadcaster at ''Gold FM 94.7'' Calamba, was killed by two gunmen who entered his home-based radio booth in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, on November 5, while he was doing a livestream. Four possible motives being investigated include a land dispute. The suspected gunman was arrested in early 2024 in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte; his two alleged accomplices, earlier in Sapang Dalaga. However, in March 2025, the Calamba RTC dismissed the murder charges and acquitted all suspects citing failure to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

2024

No such work-related killings were reported, the first—in two decades according to the CPJ; since 1985 according to RSF.

''The following is based on media reports:''
* Maria Vilma Rodriguez, 56, program anchor at '' 105.9 eMedia'', and former volunteer reporter at ''Brigada News FM'', as well as a village secretary, was fatally shot by her nephew outside a store near her home in Zamboanga City on October 22. The police, clarifying that it is not work-related, said that the motive was allegedly a land dispute. The suspect was apprehended the next day.

2025

''The following is based on media reports:''
* Juan "Johnny" Dayang, 89, former president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc., and mayor of Kalibo, Aklan, during the presidency of Corazon Aquino, was shot by an unknown gunman inside his residence on April 29. Dayang was also a columnist for ''Balita'' and ''Tempo''; founding president of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines; former director of the National Press Club; former publisher of ''Philippine Graphic'' magazine and the now defunct Leader Publishing Company (''Headline Manila'' and ''Headline Extra'' dailies); and secretary of the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
* Ali Macalintal, a transwoman and former radio broadcaster for RPN-DXDX, was shot dead at an acupuncture clinic in General Santos on June 23. She was also a former deputy secretary general of the human rights group Karapatan in Soccsksargen and a member of political organizations Makabayan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and Bayan Muna who had previously been accused and detained for alleged involvement in a bombing before being cleared.

See also

*Human rights in the Philippines (section Press freedom)
*Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines
* Political killings in the Philippines (2001-2010)
* List of assassinations in the Philippines

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Journalists killed in the Philippines (list)
Philippines, Arroyo

Journalists, killed