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STATEMENT: NUJP Sorsogon Chapter
July 8, 2008
NUJP Sorsogon Message for Jun Galias
In behalf of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Sorsogon Chapter and the Sorsogon Organization of News writers, Announcers and Reporters, we extend our sympathy and condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of Jun Galias - a dedicated, principled and fearless broadcaster and journalist.
Jun started out as a writer for a weekly paper in the province. He became a columnist until such time that he joined the broadcast industry. We then came to know him as JUN G.
In the short period that Jun spent in the media, he observed the various attitudes and characteristics of the people in the industry. He witnessed the grave repression of and assault against press freedom especially when it collides with the vested interest of those in power, especially the politicians.
Jun G also faced the reality of the life of a media practitioner, one of the poorest sectors of our community despite of the important role it plays in our society and in which, until now, members of the media are still struggling.
Because of these issues, Jun G was one of those who pressed on and worked to form an organization that gives voice to the ordinary media workers and forward their interests, at the same time, develop the quality of the media in the province.
He was one of the founding members of the Sorsogon Organization of News writers, Announcers and Reporters or SONAR formed last 1994. Jun was also part of the core group that formed the NUJP chapter in Sorsogon.
These organizations paved the way for truth and information to reach the public and helped in uplifting the professionalism of the local media industry.
We all know Jun's crusade in his profession. He valiantly exposed corruption, negligence and failures of the government. He exposed the abuses and human rights violations committed by the government and the rampant extra-judicial killings in the province.
In the case of journalists, 94 have been killed since democracy was restored in 1986 after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship until 2008. Fifty-seven (57) have been slain under the present administration of Mrs. Arroyo alone.
There are also the different forms of suppression of the media such as the filing of libel cases, the PP 1017 and the Anti-terrorism Act. These are used by the state to suppress the rights of the people, including the right to a free press.
The last issue that Jun tackled was on the anomalous rice transactions
in the NFA. We all know that this has been an on-going problem with the
existence of a rice cartel wherein big businessmen have shady dealings
with some people from the NFA.
Jun's critical and analytical attitude towards issues that he exposed
paint a picture of our society fast becoming brutal, inhuman and where
the personal interests of those in power rule above all.
Thus, Jun's passing is a huge loss to the ranks of the media in the province. However, his contribution to the defense of press freedom should not be for naught. Instead, it must lay the ground on which we will strengthen our unity to better serve the wider public especially the downtrodden and oppressed lot of our society.
Farewell, Jun! We are grateful for your contribution in working for the interests of the people.