2 May 2020
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) calls for the release and condemns the arrest of the four community journalists and three other media volunteers by the Iloilo City PNP yesterday, May 1, in connection with the planned caravan to denounce the brutal assassination of a local activist Jory Porquia.
The four community journalist are Krisma Niña Porquia, who is also the daughter of Jory, Gabyel Rei Guillen and MC Mace Sulayo of the multimedia group Panaysayon, and Julrod Prino of alternative media outfit Panay Today. The four are being held in separate police stations throughout the city, along with the 38 other arrestees.
We note that among those arrested yesterday were Bryan Bosque, Crimson Labinghisa and Kervin Bonganciso who, aside from being youth and farmers’ rights activists, are also contributors of Panaysayon and the radio program Dampig Katarungan of Aksyon Radyo Iloilo. They too must be freed.
The planned charges against the seven must be dropped as their arrest is clearly violative of their rights as media workers as well as their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
We also urge the police show compassion to Porquia in particular who must immediately be freed to allow her to properly grieve for her tragic loss and arrange for her father’s wake and funeral.
National Directorate
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