Impunity Continues as First Female Journalist Slain under P-Noy

“Marlina Flores-Sumera’s killing, done in public view and in broad daylight is yet another proof that the culture of impunity continues under President Noynoy Aquino. We strongly denounce this killing and demand that a thorough probe on her death be conducted so that justice may be served immediately.”
 
Thus said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan as she denounced the killing of female radio broadcast journalist Marlina Flores-Sumera. She is a radio news anchor of dzME’s “Arangkada” news program.
 
“This is an outrage, not just for those in the media but for women as well.”  
 
Sumera is the first female journalist slain under President Aquino. Four journalists have been killed since Aquino assumed office in June while the NUJP documents 143 journalists killed since the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. Of these cases, only six gunmen and not masterminds have been convicted.
 
“Journalists remain open targets and the impunity continues because very few perpetrators of journalists’ killings have been meted justice. The slow conviction rate and the government inaction on media killings embolden those who would like to silence journalists like Gerry Ortega, Jose Daguio, Miguel Belen and now, Marlina Sumera. It is imperative for the Aquino government to take concrete steps towards the protection of members of the press and show political will in resolving the cases of slain journalists.”#