Manila Bulletin

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 12:19pm on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

12 journalists among 46 people murdered in the Philippines in what is believed to be the greatest loss of life by news media in a single day. Those identified include a Manila Bulletin reporter and an employee of radio station DXCP.

The Guardian reported on November 24, 2009:

"Several of the victims were beheaded or mutilated in the massacre carried out by a huge force of gunmen.

The journalists were among a group of about 50 people travelling in a convoy in Maguindanao province, on the southern island of Mindanao, to register candidacy papers for a local mayor planning to stand in a governorship election.

As the convoy reached the village of Masalay it was ambushed by a 100-strong armed gang said to have been led by a politician and a police inspector who opposed the candidacy of Esmael Mangudadatu.

The group, which included his wife and other relatives, were kidnapped and then systematically murdered. Mangudadatu, who wasn't travelling with the convoy, said female members of the group were raped before they were killed.

International Press Institute director David Dadge "This is a senseless slaughter... It is the work of journalists to report on political campaigns on behalf of the public. By acting in this way these individuals have shown that they not only stand outside of democracy but also outside of humanity."

The full story:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2009/nov/24/press-freedom-philippines

There is more information here:
http://www.newssafety.org