His Excellency Jose S. Brillantes
Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines in Ottawa
130 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4

October 21, 2008

Dear Ambassador,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is delighted to hear that the alleged masterminds behind the 2005 killing of Filipino Journalist, Marlene Esperat, have been finally charged before a local court in Sultan Kudarat province in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Esperat, a columnist for the local weekly The Midland Review, was brutally murdered in front of her 10-year-old son in their house in Tacurong City, on 24 March, 2005. She was likely targeted for her work to expose corrupt practices involving the Department of Agriculture Region where Osmeña Montañer and Estrella Sabay, the alleged masterminds, serve as finance officer and regional accountant, respectively.

On October 6, 2006, Randy Grecia, Gerry Cabayag and Estanislao Bismanos, were sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Esperat, but it took more than three years to finally charge Montañer and Sabay. The charges were filed despite a court decision issued by the Cebu City Court of Appeals on May 14, 2008, prohibiting the Cebu City RTC from proceeding with the case against Montañer and Sabay.

CJFE is extremely concerned by statistics that show that none of those who ordered the murders of 76 journalists since 1986 in the Philippines have been successfully prosecuted. We urge your government to ensure an independent trial to see that justice is finally done in this case.

We thank you for your attention and look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Arnold Amber, President

CC: Mr. Robert Desjardins, Canadian Ambassador to The Philippines
Mr. Leonard Edwards, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs