STOP KILLING JOURNALISTS

Journalists in the Philippines took to the streets yesterday to protest ongoing violence against members of the media.

They were led in part by Delfin Mallari, Jr., a correspondent for the Philippines Daily Inquirer who was shot twice in a failed assassination attempt last week. With a bullet still lodged in his back, Mallari joined the protest in a wheel chair as the group marched through the city of Lucena.

The march—organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines—was part of a nationwide protest held the day after journalist Carmelo Palacios was buried. Palacios was found tortured to death on April 18, and is the 51^st journalist to be killed under the six-year administration of President Gloria Arroyo.

The events come one week before World Press Freedom Day. Those wishing to support the journalists and call for an end to violence against the media are encouraged to sign and send a petition letter drafted by the International Federation of Journalists.