MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) condemned the murder of a Filipino journalist in Virac, Catanduanes.
Larry Que, a columnist and publisher of local paper Catanduanes News Now, was shot on December 19 by a gunman wearing a bonnet and a raincoat.
Que's death, which came after he wrote about officials' supposed negligence over an illegal drug laboratory, is the first case of media killing under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"I condemn the murder of Larry Que. I call on the authorities to do all they can to bring those responsible for this crime to trial," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said in a statement.
Bokova stressed that journalists must be able to work under safe conditions to ensure free flow of information.
"It is vital for society as a whole that their safety be protected," Bokova added.
The Asia Pacific region was the third deadliest area for journalists between 2014 and 2015. The Arab States and Latin America and the Caribbean are the most deadliest areas for media workers, according to the UN.
The UNESCO dedicates a webpage for journalists who have been killed while exercising freedom of information.
The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to identify and hunt down the killer of Que.
“I would like to give the assurance that justice will be served on the killing of Mr. Larry Que and other victims of media killings,” Aguirre said.