Much more needs to be done to address impunity
By Ronalyn V. Olea
NUJP Secretary General
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. repeatedly declared positive pronouncements pertaining to respect for press freedom and free expression. Compared to former president Rodrigo Duterte, he does not resort to verbal attacks against the media. The situation on the ground, however, belies any pretensions of an improved human rights situation in the Philippines.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) agrees with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan’s analysis that the Philippine government’s efforts have not been decisive in “turning the page on the past.” In fact, the NUJP documented 177 incidents of violations on media freedom since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency. The forms of attacks under the Marcos administration – red-tagging, filing of libel and other fabricated criminal charges, harassment – are the same as during the Duterte administration.
Investigations on journalist killings remain slow. Authorities have failed to prosecute and bring to justice the masterminds behind the killings of Percy Mabasa, Cris Bundoquin, and Juan Jumalon. A retired journalist, Juan Dayang, was gunned down during the midterm elections and just yesterday, a former broadcaster, Ali Macalintal, was shot dead in General Santos City. The case on the killing of Gerry Ortega is emblematic of the level of impunity in the Philippines, with the case against alleged mastermind Joel T. Reyes, still dragging on in court for 14 years.
The NUJP welcomes Ms. Khan’s recommendation for the creation of a Special Prosecutor for crimes against Journalists and Human Rights Defenders as a way to address impunity.
We thank Ms. Khan for reiterating her call for the dismissal of charges and prompt release of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights defenders Marielle Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna. The Philippine government’s claim that the arrest of Cumpio and her colleagues was “lawful” is a lie. I heard Frenchie’s testimony in court. Authorities raided Frenchie and Marielle’s apartment at dawn on Feb. 7, 2020, planted firearms and explosives after the two were taken out of their room.
While Cumpio remains in detention, another environmental journalist Deo Montesclaros was also slapped with financing terrorism charges. Like in many other similar cases, fake testimonies from fake witnesses are utilized by the government to harass and persecute truth-tellers, critics and human rights defenders
Ms. Khan’s policy recommendations such as the decriminalization of libel, enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, and review of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) are timely and relevant.
Libel remains a criminal offense. A 2024 NUJP study revealed that 80 journalists have been charged with libel from June 2016 until December 2024. Majority or 77 percent of these cases were filed by politicians and other government officials against those who exposed corruption and other irregularities.
The order blocking the websites of alternative media groups Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly and of progressive organizations should be lifted immediately. As Ms. Khan pointed out, the said memorandum constitutes censorship, and does not meet the standards of legality, necessity and proportionality provided for under international human rights laws.
The Philippine government should refrain from passing laws that restrict people’s access to information. Disinformation should not be an excuse to legitimize censorship in the guise of regulating “fake news.”
The NUJP calls on our members, the media community and the Filipino people to continue asserting our right to free press, free expression and against all measures that restrict the people’s access to accurate, relevant and timely information.
We thank the international community for their support and solidarity with the Filipino people. Maraming salamat! #
Delivered during the side event on June 24, 2025 at Palais de Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
