The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) commends Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan for her comprehensive final report on the Philippines delivered before the UN Human Rights Council on June 18.
The NUJP is glad that the majority of Ms. Khan’s major findings and recommendations resonate with the Union. We agree 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 are the same as during the Duterte administration. Positive pronouncements by Marcos Jr. on the protection of journalists and media freedom have not been matched by substantial actions.
We share Ms. Khan’s frustration that investigations on journalist killing 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 shot dead during the midterm elections. 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.
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. Just two days ago, a request for a prison visit from a delegation of international press freedom watchdogs was denied by the Philippine government. The delegation negotiated with jail authorities to see Cumpio and Domequil, and their persistence paid off, allowing them to speak with the two for a few minutes.
While Cumpio remains in detention, another environmental journalist Deo Montesclaros was also slapped with financing terrorism charges.
The NUJP calls on the 20th Congress to heed 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). Libel laws in the Philippines and the ATA have caused a chilling effect, and contravene international human rights conventions.
The blocking of websites of alternative media groups Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly and of progressive organizations should be stopped as the order, as Ms. Khan pointed out, does not meet the standards of legality, necessity and proportionality provided for under international human rights laws.
Equally important is for the 20th Congress to refrain from passing laws that restrict people’s access to information. Disinformation should not be an excuse to legitimize censorship in the guise of regulation.
The NUJP calls on our members and the media community to continue campaigning for respect for media freedom, free expression and against all measures that restrict the people’s access to accurate, relevant and timely information. #
