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PRESS STATEMENT Nov. 30, 2003 NUJP condemns series of attacks, harassment vs. Mindanao journalists
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Davao City Chapter is deeply concerned about the recent incidents of attacks, harassment and intimidation against members of the press in several parts of Mindanao. We condemn these acts, which are an affront to press freedom, in the strongest terms. a. On the night of Nov. 23, men armed with Armalite rifles and wearing bonnets, raided the Radyo Natin station in Lupon, Davao Oriental, and manhandled a staff. The attackers were looking for the station's franchise owner, Romeo Bote Jr., and an anchorman, Marlo Lim Roman. Using the butts of their rifles, the men beat up the staffer, identified as Jun Castro, when he wouldn't divulge the whereabouts of Bote and Roman. The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Castro as telling investigators: "They were looking for Bote and (Roman). They told me they will kill (Bote and Roman) because of their hard-hitting programs in the radio.:" The attack on Radyo Natin Lupon was actually the second in Davao Oriental.Early this year, armed men tried to burn down the Radyo Natin station in Baganga town; the station was also known for its programs critical of local politicians. a. In November, two journalists in Tangub City accused the city's police chief, Chief Insp. Roberto Destura Jr., of threatening them for reporting on the continued operations of video karera, a form of illegal gambling, in that city. Richard Maņego of station DXDD, said that on Nov. 17, Destura went to his office and dared him to a gun duel. Minutes after that incident, Destura allegedly called the mobile phone of Bethser Dablo, also of DXDD, and told her that she (Dablo) "betrayed" Destura. The police chief had met with the journalists and apologized for his behavior. "I am just human who is prone to make mistakes," he reportedly told the journalists. According to media reports from Tangub, other journalists in that city had received death threats earlier for reporting on illegal gambling and illegal drugs. a. Also in November, three reports from radio station DXCP in General Santos complained of harassment and intimidation when a leaflet was circulated in the city labeling them members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People's Army. Those subjected to the red-baiting were Philip Salarda, Vic Madridenio and Boy Manangquil, all of DXCP. According to a report by Sun.Star General Santos, nobody has claimed responsibility for the leaflet, which urged people to call 117, an emergency phone line, to report the alleged underground activities of the three broadcasters. The three were allegedly involved in rallies and demonstrations in the city. These incidents of attacks, harassment and intimidation - which all occurred in just one month - indicates the still prevalent intolerance by certain sectors of Philippine society to the role and functions of the press. This is worrisome because, as these incidents clearly show, journalists working in the provinces and in relatively small media outlets are easy prey. The attacks and threats are meant to discourage journalists from doing their jobs, especially at a time when so much corruption and bureaucratic incompetence is being committed. In particular, the labeling as communists of journalists who dare to expose the ills of Philippine society was meant to suppress dissent and subvert democracy. The NUJP is appealing to the Arroyo administration, which recently offered a P1-million reward money for the capture of killers of journalists since 1998, to do more by making sure that these cases of harassments and intimidation are investigated thoroughly -- and the perpetrators brought to justice -- before these escalate into fatal violence. CARLOS H. CONDE NUJP-Davao City Coordinator For more statements and updates from NUJP, visit www.nujp.org |
