Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye today branded as grossly misplaced and misleading a published report labeling the Philippines as the most dangerous place for journalists after Iraq.

In a statement, Bunye said the government is determined to defend and protect press freedom, adding that while several journalists have been killed during the past several years, such criminal attacks were being resolved one by one, and the perpetrators brought to justice.

"Our press has never been cowed by murderers," the Bunye said.

In a radio interview, Bunye said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now pursuing all leads on cases involving attacks on members of the media.

He pointed out that the DILG has formed task forces to go after the killers of media practitioners and bring them to justice.