CAGAYAN DE ORO — Media groups condemned the arrest of Negros Occidental-based journalist Erwin Delilan, station manager of Hapi FM and a contributor for Rappler, around 11 p.m. on Monday, January 19.

In a statement, Rappler said Delilan was not informed about the complaint, and the arrest warrant was served by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at a time when he could not immediately avail legal services.

As a result, he spent the night in police custody, but was released on bail the next day.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – Negros Island Region chapter (NUJP-NIR) viewed Delilan’s arrest as pure intimidation and harassment aimed at silencing his critical reportage.

“He should have been notified first of his offenses or called to a dialogue to clarify issues and amicably settle the ensuing conflict instead of rushing on his arrest as if he committed a grave offense,” said Chito Berjit, NUJP-NIR chairperson.

Delilan, former president of Negros Press Club, was reportedly informed about the case only when he was released.

Rappler said the case, which was filed by Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II, stemmed from a political post that Delilan made on Facebook.

It did not specify the date of the post. 

The Media – Citizen Council Region 8 raised concerns about the execution of the arrest warrant for an Unjust Vexation case, saying it is a “heavy-handed tactic” to harass critical voices. 

Unjust Vexation is considered a “light” offense with penalties of imprisonment for 1-30 days or a fine of from P1,000 to P40,000.

The council added the claim that the subpoena was sent to an inactive address prevented Delilan from exercising his right to respond.

“This procedural lapse prevented a fair opportunity for legal recourse before the case reached the warrant stage, suggesting a calculated effort to ensure an arrest rather than a resolution,” the council said in a statement.

Delilan, according to Rappler, fears another warrant for cyberlibel based on the complaint filed by Diaz.

“When people in power file cases to intimidate journalists from reporting verified facts and raising valid questions on matters of public interest, it’s not only an attack on press freedom, it’s also an attack on the people’s right to know,” Rappler said.

Media organizations stood in solidarity, urging colleagues in the community to denounce Delilan’s arrest as an assault on press freedom. (RTS, JDS)