UNESCO chief calls for investigation of killing of two journalists in the Philippines
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 11 September 2013 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, UNESCO chief calls for investigation of killing of two journalists in the Philippines, 11 September 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5232e86e4.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today voiced grave concern over the killing of a newspaper editor and a radio journalist in the Philippines, and urged authorities to investigate these crimes.
"I condemn the killing of Vergel Bico and Fernando Solijon," said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova.
"These two killings bring to five the number of Philippine journalists assassinated since July. I urge the authorities to take action to bring the culprits of these crimes to justice."
Fernando 'Nanding' Solijon hosted a daily programme DxLS Love Radio in Iligan City, a town in northern Mindanao. He was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle while walking to his car on the evening of 29 August.
Vergel Bico was an editor for the weekly newspaper Kalahi. He was shot dead last week as he was riding his motorcycle in Calapan City, some 120 kilometres south of Manila.
