JOINT STATEMENT
We, members of the press in General Santos City, condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and defenseless assassination of colleague Christopher Guarin who was murdered in the presence of his wife and daughter Thursday evening.
We are alarmed and appalled over the brazenness of the attack that further reinforced the prevailing culture of impunity.
We urge police authorities to immediately pursue, apprehend and prosecute the assailants and identify the masterminds behind the killing.
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We want police authorities to extend their investigation to cover all the other killings in the city.
We are saddened by the growing reputation of General Santos City as the most dangerous place for journalist in the country today with over 20 members of the press already killed since 1986, including 14 who perished in the Ampatuan massacre.[]
