In the Philippines, new anti-terror law threatens journalists
New York, July 18, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists expresses its grave concern about new anti-terrorism legislation recently enacted in the Philippines. A top justice ministry official has said that in certain circumstances it would allow the government to wiretap journalists. While the Human Security Act (HSA) specifically prohibits the surveillance and interception of communications…
Radio commentator slain in Cebu
New York, July 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges justice in the killing of journalist Geruncio “Oscar” Mondejar, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in the city of Mandaue, in the central Philippine province of Cebu early Sunday. Two unidentified gunmen aboard a motorcycle shot Mondejar, a commentator and technician at the local radio…
In the Philippines, one journalist killed, another wounded in a shooting spree
New York, June 25, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to quickly investigate and bring to justice the killer of Vicente Sumalpong, an announcer for the government-owned Radyo ng Bayan (People’s Radio) network. Sumalpong was with two companions when a gunman attacked them this morning in the town of Bongao in…
Journalist gets death threats after critical news broadcast
MAY 29, 2007 Posted May 31, 2007 Ricky Carandang, ABS-CBN network THREATENED Carandang said he received death threats via cell phone while in Lanao del Norte, a province in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The threats came a day after he reported that officials in the provincial treasurer’s office in the provincial capital,…
Gunmen intercept minibus, kill Philippine photographer
New York, May 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to undertake a thorough and timely investigation into today’s shooting death of freelance photographer Dodie Nuñez. Local media reports said Nuñez was shot by three men who used a motorcycle to intercept the minibus in which he was riding in the…
In the Philippines, president’s husband withdraws 46 libel suits
New York, May 3, 2007—Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has withdrawn 46 criminal libel suits he had filed against 11 journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed today’s news but said the suits should never have been brought. Withdrawal of the cases—which came because Arroyo was “grateful for surviving a…
Philippine journalist killed, another wounded in separate shootings
New York, April 19, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to ensure prompt and thorough investigations into two separate shootings this week, one of which took the life of radio reporter Carmelo Palacios. Police have assigned the cases to a special task force that investigates attacks on journalists. “We’re glad that…
In the Philippines, journalist jailed for criminal libel
New York, April 4, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of former dxMF Bombo Radio commentator Alex Adonis, who is serving four and a half years in prison on criminal libel charges in Davao del Norte province. Local media and press freedom groups were alerted to his arrest and detention on…
In the Philippines, Newsbreak editors arrested on libel charges
New York, March 7, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists denounces Wednesday’s arrest of Gemma Bagauaya, editor of the online newsmagazine Newsbreak in a 100 million peso (US$2 million) libel case filed by Ilocos Sur provincial governor Luis Singson. Newsbreak Managing Editor Glenda Gloria and Editor-in-chief Marites Vitug were also charged by Singson. “The authorities in…