Reporting a deadly profession in the Philippines

SOUTHERN LUZON, Philippines, May 4 (Reuters) The reporter's morning routine is the same as everyone else's except for one subtle difference, he scans his fellow commuters for would-be assassins.

''When I get on public transport I look around to see if any of the passengers have suspicious bulges,'' said the journalist, who declined to be named.

The correspondent of a Philippine national newspaper fears security officials may ambush him because of stories he has written about detained left-wing activists. A friend in intelligence has told him high-ranking police are angry about his reports.

''My wife has asked me to find another job or stop writing about these things for the threats to stop,'' said the reporter in an interview in his modest bungalow in southern Luzon, the Philippines' main island.

''But it's not right for these people to impose what they want on journalists.'' The Philippines isn't the worst place in the world to be a reporter but it's second only to Iraq.

Investigative stories about drug trafficking, gambling and other illegal activities put lives at risk.

The media's breathless style of reporting and impassioned commentary is often too much for shady kingpins, particularly in rural areas, where police and military protection can be bought.

''Those guys who have power in the provinces, they feel like they are kings. So, if you criticise them it's taboo,'' said Joe Torres, chairman of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

Last year was particularly bad for press freedom with 10 reporters killed, behind Iraq's 46.

This year is expected to be even worse as media criticism of politicians gathers pace ahead of polling in congressional and local elections on May 14.

CHEAP KILL Three reporters have been killed so far in 2007, including one editor shot in the head while drinking coffee.

Delfin Mallari was meant to be the fourth but his would-be killers only wounded him before taking off on a motorcycle in the morning rush-hour in Lucena city, 75 120 km south of Manila.

''I felt as if someone had boxed me on my left side,'' said the 53-year-old after the gun attack last month. ''I'm afraid of what will happen next.'' Mallari, who works for the national broadsheet, Philippine Daily Inquirer, believes the hit was ordered by a person he had criticised on a radio programme.

But journalists are not always blameless.

Bribes and favours oil the media machine and reporters can fall victim to disgruntled paymasters or their rivals.

In rural areas, most journalists do not earn a regular wage.

Press reporters are paid around 10 pesos per column inch and radio and television journalists are often expected to find advertising for their stations and get a commission in return.

It is accepted that people will take bribes to supplement their meagre income.

Envelopes with cash are discreetly handed out after news conferences. Politicians, press agents and officials make ''donations'' to help cover reporters' expenses.

Some correspondents receive monthly payments of up to 50,000 pesos from politicians for regular positive articles or broadcasts.

Requests for such coverage peak in the run-up to elections.

''A lot of journalists are involved in unethical practices. They accept bribes to write a certain way,'' said Torres, adding that he knew of some reporters who had been murdered because they had upped their prices.

''The politician ordered them killed because they asked for more money. It's cheaper to have them killed.

FULLY LOADED More than 800 people, most of them left-wing activists but also journalists, have been murdered or reported missing over the past six years and a UN investigator said in February that the military appeared to be responsible for many of the killings.

Manila has promised to prosecute those responsible but no one has been arrested and the murders continue. Government supporters say those gunned down are communist rebels but critics say authorities are removing left-wing opponents ahead of elections.

Fearing that they cannot trust anyone, some journalists rely on firearms to protect themselves.

''The most efficient way to defend ourselves is with guns,'' said Joel Sy Egco, president of the Association of Responsible Media (ARMED), an organisation that encourages reporters to arm.

Egco, who is also the chairman of the National Press Club's committee on press freedom, normally carries a fully-loaded .40 calibre pistol and keeps an extra magazine of bullets in his car.

In southern Luzon, the newspaper reporter in fear of his life prefers to rely on his wits and good humour.

''My wife has said, 'If you get killed, please don't use my car, I can't afford to get it cleaned up afterwards.''' REUTERS SLD PM1025