Philippines: Reporter Threatened

Reporter Threatened As Philippines Mourns Slain Colleagues

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) demands the Philippines Government urgently investigate a threatening message sent to Philippines Daily Inquirer and GMA7 News TV correspondent Williamor Magbanua in the southern Philippines yesterday.

According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Magbanua, 30, received a wreath containing a threatening note at his home in Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province, Mindanao.

The note, purporting to have been sent by New People’s Army (NPA) regional commander Valentine Palamine, accused Magbanua of defamatory reporting about a political candidate.

The NUJP, an IFJ affiliate, reports doubts about whether the NPA was the source of the threat, as the note’s letterhead appeared not to be authentic. It is therefore unclear who is responsible.

Magbanua, who also works as an information officer for North Cotabato Second District Representative Bernardo Pinol Jr, reported to the NUJP that he had noticed two motorcyclists following him in recent days.

“The IFJ demands current and future power-holders in the Philippines, including candidates for upcoming presidential and national elections, take firm and swift action against those who attack and threaten media personnel,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

The threat against Magbanua is the latest in a series levelled against Philippines journalists, including Newsbreak editor-in-chief Marites Danguilan Vitug, who received threats in March following publication of her book on allegations of corruption in the Supreme Court.

During a candlelit march and vigil in Manila on April 23, the NUJP re-iterated the urgent need to protect journalists in the Philippines, especially in the lead-up to the May elections. The vigil marked five months since the murder of 32 journalists and media personnel among 57 people massacred in Maguindanao, Mindanao, in November.

“We have faith that threats such as these will not deter journalists from conducting their professional work ahead of the elections,” Park said. “But journalists must be assured of full protection, justice and respect for the right to conduct their work without fear of violence and intimidation.”

The IFJ remains deeply concerned that the current Government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered prosecutors to drop murder charges against Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan, key suspects in Maguindanao massacre.

It again calls on all candidates running for president to make a public commitment to overturn the country’s culture of impunity for violence against journalists and media personnel.

ENDS

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