Rodrigo Duterte's shocking remarks apparently excusing extrajudicial killings threaten to make the Philippines into a killing field for journalists, we strongly urge him to retract his comments and to signal that he intends to protect, not target the press." Then finally, the Foreign Correspondent Association of the Philippines showed concern by stating, "Duterte's statement is a chilling reminder that journalists in the Philippines continue to live under threat, decades after (the association) was founded to fight for press freedom at the height of Ferdinand Marcos's dictatorship." Balcoba's wife spoke up a few days later and replied to the Mayor's comments and standing up for her husband by making a few comments such as, "Sir, I am appealing to you. If I have to kneel, I will, just do not let this case drag on. I hope that once you assume office, you will prioritize this case so that the media killings, if not all the crimes in the country, will stop. You know, I really hope you could help me. I am drawing my strength from you, so that one day, I can finally get justice. I also hope the death penalty will be reimposed so that the killers of my husband will be punished with it." See also List of journalists killed under the Arroyo administration References Date of birth missing 1960s births 2016 deaths Place of birth unknown Deaths by firearm in the Philippines Assassinated Filipino journalists People from Quiapo, Manila