Press club condemns Ledesma’s murder

We condemn the latest attack on another member of the press, Nerlita T. Ledesma of Balanga City, last Jan. 8.

Ledesma, 48, was gunned down in Barangay Cuyo at 8 a.m. as she prepared to report for work. We demand no less than the capture of her attacker and all those who may have planned the hit.

The attack on Ledesma, a local radio personality and provincial correspondent of Abante, is the latest addition to the growing number of assaults against journalists under the regime of President Aquino.

The incident reminds us of last year’s killing of another female journalist, Rubylita Garcia, in Cavite, where the police allegedly bungled their investigation by “inventing” suspects. Several months after the killing, justice remains elusive for Garcia and members of her family, who are under government protection.

We also lament the fact that the shooting of Ledesma, which we consider an affront to press freedom, came a day short of our scheduled dialogue with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima regarding the National Press Club’s (NPC) role in the Interagency Task Force on Extrajudicial Killings, including media killings, under Administrative Order No. 35.

Ledesma’s case will be the first to be acted upon as the NPC officially assumes its role and clarifies its tasks in the committee.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh!

—JOSE JOEL MAGUIZA SY EGCO “HAJJI YUSUF JUBAIR,”

president, National Press Club,

Intramuros, Manila