The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today urged the authorities to investigate the killings of journalists Rudy Alicaway and Leo Diaz in the Philippines’ island of Mindanao on 6 and 7 August respectively.
“I condemn the murder of Leo Diaz and Rudy Alicaway,” said the Director-General. “The impunity that meets the majority of crimes against journalists and media workers emboldens their perpetrators and undermines freedom of information and freedom of expression. I therefore call on the authorities to spare no effort in investigating these crimes and bringing their perpetrators to trial.”
Leo Diaz, a correspondent of Manila tabloid Balita (News) and a contributor to local newspaper Sapol News and Radio Mindanao-Cotabato, was fatally shot on Monday 7 August in President Quirino, a town in Sultan Kudarat province.
Rudy Alicaway, a volunteer presenter on DXPB 106.9 Radio, was shot in Molave, a town in Zamboanga del Sur province.
The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.” These statements are posted on a dedicated webpage, UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.
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Media contact: Sylvie Coudray, s.coudray@unesco.org, +33 (0)1 45 68 42 12