UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova, has denounced the killing of Philippines radio journalist Maurito Lim and called on the authorities to investigate the case.

71-year old Lim was shot by a gunman in front of the station’s office earlier this month in Tagbilaran.

He hosted a weekly noontime show on dyRD radio was said to be critical of local officials linked to narcotics.

According to the local chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, he was the 34th to be slain during the current president Aquino’s administration.

Bokova’s statement is in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.”

She said:  “I condemn the murder of Maurito Lim. This crime needs to be thoroughly investigated for its perpetrators to be brought to justice. Impunity for such crimes increases the vulnerability of all journalists and encourages self-censorship. The authorities must provide the media with as safe an environment as possible to ensure the public’s right to be kept informed.”