Noting that this was the second murder of a journalist in the Philippines in 2005, RSF said in a letter to Interior Minister Angelo Reyes that there was an "urgent need to restore a favourable working climate for the press after repeated attacks that have gone completely unpunished."

The letter continued, "We call on you to take the necessary measures to protect journalists and to ensure that a serious investigation establishes the precise motives for Marlyn Garcia Esperat's murder. No hypothesis should be ruled out, but it already seems most likely that she was killed because of her work as a journalist."

The letter concluded by announcing that RSF would conduct a fact-finding mission to the Philippines from 7 to 13 April that would above all investigate the murders of journalists.

Garcia Esperat, 45, had been receiving police protection. Shortly before her murder, however, she had allowed her police bodyguards to go home for Easter. Local police said two men burst into her home at around 7:30 p.m. (local time) and shot her in the head. Before firing the fatal shot, the gunman simply said, "Good night, dear lady." The two men then calmly left on foot, according to witnesses.

Tacurong Police Chief Raul Supiter told the newspaper "Mindanews", "We have not yet established the motives for this murder but the possibility that she was killed for her journalistic activities has not been ruled out."

Garcia Esperat was known her anti-corruption crusades and scathing commentaries. The daily "Inquirer" reported that shortly before her death, she had written about nepotism in the town of Sultan Sa Barongis and about the embezzlement of approximately 750,000 euros (approx. US$966, 255) from the agricultural department's local office.

After Iraq, the Philippines is the world's most dangerous country for journalists. Arnulfo Villanueva, a reporter with the "Asian Star Express Balita" newspaper, was found dead in Naic, Cavite province, south of Manila, on 28 February (see IFEX alert of 2 March 2005). At least six other journalists have been physically attacked or threatened with death since the start of the year.