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CMFR DATABASE ON THE KILLING OF

JOURNALISTS/MEDIA WORKERS IN THE
PHILIPPINES SINCE 1986
(Updated May 30, 2016)

Journalists/media workers killed in the

Philippines since 1986 by motive

76
33%
152
67%

Work-related
Non-work-related

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) recorded 228 cases of killing of
Filipino journalists/media workers since 1986.

At around 7:30 p.m. on 13 May 2002, Damalerio was driving his jeep from a press conference
when he was shot by two men onboard a motorcycle. His two companions Edgar Amoro and
Edgar Onguegot a good look at the killer, whom they later identified as PO1 Guillermo
Wapile, a local policeman with a notorious criminal record that included car theft and robbery at
gunpoint.

Any information contained in this compilation may be used provided that the
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is properly attributed.

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Journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986
by year

Of the 228 journalists/media workers killed since 1986, 152 were killed because of their work.
Thirty one (31) out of the 152 work-related cases happened during the Aquino administration
(June 22, 2016-present). Two were killed in 2016.
***Included under Arroyo administration is Albert Pastor Martinez who died on January 15,
2015. Martinez was attacked on April 10 2005 which paralyzed him and died because of the
complications of his paralysis.

Journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986
by presidency

Any information contained in this compilation may be used provided that the
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is properly attributed.

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31

83

11

21

Journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986
by region

34

15
13

13

13

11
8
4
2

7
5

4
2

Most of the journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty since 1986 were based in the
provinces. The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) registered the most number
of work-related killings since 1986 (34 killed). This includes the 32 journalists/media workers
killed in the Ampatuan town (Maguindanao) Massacre last Nov. 23, 2009.

Journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986
by island group

Any information contained in this compilation may be used provided that the
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is properly attributed.

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52
86

14

Journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986
by sex
10

142

One hundred and forty two (142, 93 percent) of the 152 journalists/media workers killed in the
line of duty since 1986 were male; 10 were female

Any information contained in this compilation may be used provided that the
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is properly attributed.

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Journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty in the Philippines since 1986
by medium

68
59

15

6
1

Most of the journalists/media workers killed in the line of duty since 1986 worked solely for radio
(68 individuals).

For more information visit http://cmfr-phil.org/mediakillings/charts.php

Any information contained in this compilation may be used provided that the
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility is properly attributed.