MANILA, Philippines–As a private attorney in the Philippines, Nena Santos does not have standing to try a murder case. But under an unusual provision of Philippine criminal law, she is permitted to work directly with police and government prosecutors in all phases of the investigation and trial: gathering evidence, preparing witnesses, and drafting potential indictments.…
New York, October 9, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to act quickly to apprehend the gunmen who shot and seriously wounded radio commentator Jose Pantoja on Monday in the city of Iligan, about 500 miles (800 kilometers) southeast of Manila. Pantoja was a “block time” broadcaster—an independent commentator who leased…
NEW YORK, September 4, 2007 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the recent violent attack against journalist Joel Abilay, a radio reporter for Radio GMA (RGMA) in Cadiz City of the province of Negros Occidental. According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and local media reports, Abilay was stabbed…
Manila, July 26, 2007 -The chief justice of the Philippine Supreme Court told a delegation from the Committee to Protect Journalists that he will seek justice in the unsolved killings of journalists and will use his authority to protect freedom of speech and of the press. “The fact that the killings remain unsolved heightens public…
New York, July 26, 2007–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Wednesday’s shooting of radio journalist and station manager Ferdinand “Bambi” Yngson in Sagay City, on the central island of Negros. Yngson was on his way to work when he was shot in the left arm, according to news reports. “We are appalled at this vicious…
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…
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…
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…