Press release

Director-General calls for justice following assassination of journalist Jesus Yutrago Malabanan in the Philippines

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists
UNESCO observatory of killed journalists
UNESCO
2021/132
14 December 2021
Last update:20 April 2023

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has condemned the murder of Jesus 鈥淛ess鈥 Malabanan who was shot on 8 December in Calbayog City, on the island of Samar, to which he had relocated following threats related to his reporting on the war on drugs.

I condemn the killing of Jesus Malabanan. Mr Malabanan鈥檚 outstanding investigative journalism brought valuable information to readers at home and abroad. I call on the Philippine authorities to spare no effort in bringing his killers to justice. This is essential to create a safe environment for journalists whose work matters to the whole of society.
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

Malabanan, a highly regarded national and international news reporter, was killed by an unknown assassin while watching television in his family shop. He had notably contributed to Reuters news agency articles about the war on drugs, which were awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2018.

Malabanan is the third journalist killed in connection with his work in the Philippines this year. 

UNESCO promotes the  through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the  on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

 

See also: 

Media contact: Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi, g.godoi@unesco.org

Related items

More on this subject

Other recent press releases