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In the Philippines, red-tagging is being done by the powers-that-be to intimidate, silence, and later justify grave human rights violations against activists and government critics. Journalists are not spared from this as there are attempts to stop them from pursuing independent and critical journalism.
In his keynote speech at the opening of the historic 1st Philippine Media Safety Summit, CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said critical journalists are being subjected to red-tagging and surveillance, or are faced with the charges of libel or cyber libel.
At least 12 men, all with guns and wearing bonnets, forced their way inside the gates during the demolition. One of the men pointed a gun at Rowena “Weng” Quejada and told her to stop taking videos. The armed men proceeded to forcibly take her cellphone and bag, including all her IDs and her wallet which contained cash.
On International Women’s Day, journalists have called for the release of detained community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio.
“We are here today to urge and call upon President Marcos Jr.’s administration and the law enforcement agency to act upon this crucial piece of information and to immediately arrest the mastermind on Ortega’s murder. It’s time to say enough is enough."
“The recent visit and observations made by UNSR Khan have brought to light the unjust state of their prolonged detention, begging an immediate review and dismissal of the charges against them, should evidence be lacking,” the groups said.
"Insisting on the blocking of our websites runs counter to the government's claims of having a vibrant democracy. We call on the Philippine government to stop violating the people's right to free expression and opinion," they said.
"The Philippine government will become a laughing stock in the international community if it does not heed SR Khan's findings."
“The whole concept of freedom of expression is to be able to say what you want even if it offends the other side. The government should encourage a greater culture of tolerance.” -- Special Rapporteur on Free Expression and Opinion Irene Khan
“Frenchie used to lead the Eastern Vista, where is it now? They used to report the prices of basic commodities of Samar and how it affects the people. No one does that now. It is a big disservice to the poor in the region.”
“Our gravest concern now is the new policies which attack freedom of expression: specifically the Anti-Terror Law and Executive Order 70 which created the NTF-ELCAC. This emboldened state actors, such as the police and military to commit abuses on a scale last seen during the first Marcos administration.”
Ortega was known to courageously oppose influential mining aimed at exploiting the natural resources of Palawan. His colleagues firmly believe that the broadcaster was killed for reporting on the misuse of the Malampaya fund by the local government at that time.
“We are calling on the office of UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan to hear our demands. To help us free Frenchie Mae, to help us assert our press freedom, and to help us fight to express.”
In 2018, several websites of progressive organizations and media outfits became victims of relentless DDoS attacks. A probe by Sweden-based Qurium Media Foundation revealed that the attacks came from the Philippine Army, including activities linked to the Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Philippine Army.
Altermidya and the NUJP said Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director Paulino Gutierrez’s attack against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio also proves the absurdity of his agency’s continued existence.
A Quezon City assistant city prosecutor dismissed the environmental case filed against activist and cultural worker Maximo Santiago and three others after they burned an effigy during the State of the Nation Address last July.
Among the issues that those who participated in the NUJP campaign hoped Khan would look into include website blocking, political prisoners, gender-based attacks against women journalists and media killings.
"Out of the almost 200 cases of journalist killings in our country, only 11 percent of the cases have resulted in convictions."
According to Committee to Protect Journalists, as of Nov. 7, thirty-seven journalists and media workers were confirmed dead. Majority of those who died were Palestinians with 32 deaths.
The Philippines continues to be one of the countries in the world with the worst record on prosecuting killers of journalists.
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