The cases faced by Baskog Radio anchors India and Jay Lavapiez prove that libel laws have been weaponized for intimidation and retaliation.

CAGAYAN DE ORO — A group of journalists condemned the libel cases filed against two radio broadcasters in Roxas City, Capiz.

In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said that the cases faced by Baskog Radio anchors India and Jay Lavapiez prove that libel laws have been weaponized for intimidation and retaliation.

Based on the information received by the group, multiple cyberlibel cases were filed against the couple after they reported on alleged irregularities and corruption since last year. The cases were reportedly filed by Sigma Mayor Dante Eslabon, Sigma Councilor Dan Justin Eslabon (the mayor’s son), and a certain political ally.

These cases were also reportedly filed in Manila, in Muntinlupa, and in Capiz, which the NUJP said was a tactic used to harass the accused. 

In August 2025, the Sangguniang Bayan of Sigma approved a resolution declaring the two radio anchors personas non grata for allegedly disseminating false and misleading information. The management of Baskog Radio said that resolution is a form of media harassment.

India was arrested on March 11 based on an arrest warrant for four counts of cyberlibel. She was released on the same day after posting bail.

Jay was also a respondent of the same complaints but these were reportedly dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

In a report by the Capiz Times, officers of Sarraga Integrated Management Corporation, the company that runs Baskog Radio, were also among the respondents but the complaints against them were also dismissed for the same reason.

“We also reiterate our call to decriminalize libel, which advocates, including UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, have called outdated, cruel, and contrary to the Philippines’ obligations to uphold press freedom and free speech,” NUJP said.

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“The cyberlibel cases filed against Baskog Radio in various places are not just a matter of a few journalists—it is a matter of people’s freedom to speak and to know the truth,” Jay said in a statement sent to Bulatlat.  (AMU, DAA)

Disclosure: Ronalyn Olea, editor-in-chief of Bulatlat, is secretary-general of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.