Policeman held for reporter death

A policeman in the Philippines has been arrested for the murder of journalist Crispin Perez on 9 June.

The shooting, in central Mindoro Occidental province, is one of scores of alleged murders of journalists by members of the security forces.

The Philippines is one of the most dangerous places for reporters, and conviction of the killers is rare.

Mr Perez was a lawyer and former provincial vice-governor who hosted his own show on Radio DWDO.

The latest attack on a journalist took place last week, when radio commentator Jonathan Petalvero, in southern Agusan del Sur province, was killed. No arrest has been made.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) said five journalists were killed last year and 59 have been killed since 2001, when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came to power.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Southeast Asian Press Alliance
Committee to Protect Journalists
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
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