Media groups reiterated their demand for the immediate release of Filipino journalist Lady Ann Salem as she remains behind bars more than a week since a Mandaluyong court dismissed the charges against her.
“Perhaps it is not too late for the members of the House of Representatives to salvage their reputations, to prove that they are what the Constitution charges them to be, members of a co-equal and independent branch of government, and no longer the willing accomplices to the continuing siege on press freedom and all our other rights and liberties.”
“While there has been no offered evidence of any such links, Philippine officials’ increasing penchant for such “red-tagging” is reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous. When amplified by no less than the highest ranking enforcers of government and the law they inevitably compromise any guarantees of due process.”
“The reason we have peaceful lives is that there are people like Icy who are continuously fighting for our rights.”
“Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s government must cease and desist treating journalists as criminals.”
“Her abduction, on Human Rights Day no less, is another proof of the dangers of the administration’s vile practice of red-tagging.”
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Maganes is the 18th journalist murdered under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, and the 190th since 1986.
“Even if the Ombudsman dismissed the case, it doesn’t change the fact that the PNP [Philippine National Police] and top leaders have admitted their folly when their minions arrested me.“
“If you do not involve the public in your problem, then you cannot practice what you preach.”
“The filing of cases against two NorDis staff, me included, is an escalation of attacks against our media group.”
“Libel has always been a tool of government officials and influential individuals to stifle freedom of expression and silence critical media organizations.”