Jose S. Brillantes, Ambassador to Canada
The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
130 Albert Street, Suite 606
Ontario, ON, K1P 5G4

May 3, 2007

Dear Ambassador Brillantes,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is deeply concerned about the number of unsolved cases of attacks on journalists in the Philippines. Since the 1986 transition to democratic rule, 60 journalists have been killed. Half of those killings have occurred since President Arroyo came to power in 2001.

Most of those responsible for these abhorrent crimes have faced no consequences for their actions. While last October's conviction and sentencing of three suspects in the 2005 murder of investigative reporter Marlene Garcia-Esperat marked a step in the right direction, it was still only the fourth conviction of the 60 cases. The masterminds behind her murder remain free.

CJFE hopes that the Philippines government will display a renewed commitment to ending the climate of impunity as they deal with the most recent murder of Carmelo Palacios. Found dead on April 18, 2007, Palacios is the 31st journalist to be murdered since President Arroyo's election. Palacios was a crime reporter for radio station dxRB Radyo ng Bayan.

CJFE calls on the government of the Philippines to ensure that a timely and thorough investigation is carried out into this and all other murders of journalists. The government must make this a priority if it is to end the culture of impunity which has taken root in the Philippines.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Arnold Amber, CJFE President

cc: Peter Sutherland, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines