Unresolved killings show Aquino rule bereft of legitimacy

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns the murder of broadcaster Julius Cauzo, 51, of Cabanatuan City radio station dzJJ, who was shot dead as he was on his way to host his program last Nov. 8.

Cauzo is the fifth member of the media killed this year alone, the 14th under the Aquino administration and the 154th since 1986.

Although authorities have yet to establish a clear motive for the killing, police say Cauzo had regularly criticized graft and corruption in his program.

But whatever the reason for Cauzo’s murder, it is clear proof that the impunity with which media killings and other human rights violations are brazenly committed has continued to thrive because government—the Aquino administration in particular—has not, cannot, or will not act to end the bloodshed.

So much for promises of good governance and justice and respect for the people’s basic civil and political rights.

Thus far, this administration has turned a deaf ear to the cries for justice of the victims of human rights abuses and has chosen to shunt aside legislation that would expand the space to enjoy our freedoms, such as the Freedom of Information Act, and has instead foisted on us laws that would actually restrict these freedoms, such as the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Data Privacy Act.

Unless this administration shakes itself out of its apathy and fulfills its duty to protect our rights and liberties, it will have proven itself no better than its predecessor, bereft of legitimacy and unworthy of the people’s trust and respect.

—NESTOR BURGOS,

chair, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines