The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is launching its own independent investigation into the killing of Pampanga-based journalist Jesus “Jess” Malabanan, who was shot dead by still unidentified suspects in Calbayog City, Samar on Wednesday, 8 December.

CHR condemns this another incident of attack against a member of the media. Without bringing the perpetrators to account, this episode of violence further worsens the climate of impunity and affects the freedom of the press to conduct their work without fear.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said in a statement that Malabanan sought their assistance regarding his security in 2017 and was then immediately given police detail.

Malaban was a correspondent of the Manila Times, Bandera, and Reuters. He was said to have helped in developing stories on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs for Reuters, which earned them the Pulitzer Prize in 2018.

Malabanan’s death is the 22nd in the list of killed journalists under the present administration.

We urge the Philippine National Police to exert all efforts in identifying the perpetrators and ensuring justice for yet again a violation of person’s right to life. At the same time, we call on the government to urgently address killings and similar threats to media, who continues to form part of the working democracy. #ItigilAngPatayan