UNESCO chief speaks out against murder of Filipino journalist

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has condemned the killing of a Filipino radio journalist, who was shot dead by two masked gunmen last week.

Ernesto Rollin, 40, who hosted a popular local radio news programme, was shot at close-range on his way home on the island of Mindanao, Philippines, last Monday.

“I condemn the murder of Ernesto Rollin,” declared Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“This murder is an attack on press freedom, an attack on the fundamental human right of freedom of expression and an attack on democracy, which can not flourish in the absence of these two freedoms,” stressed Mr. Matsuura, adding he was “confident that the investigation launched by the authorities will bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime.”

Some 99 journalists have been murdered in the Philippines since the country’s return to democracy in 1986, UNESCO reported.