Ahead of World Press Freedom Day (03 May), a somber gathering unfolded at the University of the Philippines’ College of Mass Communication (UPCMC). Journalists, media practitioners, and students gathered at the Dap-ay memorial site. They demanded justice for their colleagues facing oppression.
The protest highlighted the ongoing plight of Philippine journalists. Reporters Without Borders recently ranked the Philippines 116th out of 180 countries in its World Press Freedom Index – a small improvement from last year’s 134th place. However, the group thinks otherwise, that this ranking doesn’t reflect the grim reality.
The activity specifically condemned the continued harassment and killings of journalists. Six journalists have been killed under the Marcos Jr. administration. The recent murder of veteran journalist Johnny Dayang on April 29th in Kalibo, Aklan, fueled the outrage. Mr. Dayang, 89, a former mayor and Graphic magazine writer, had reported suspicious surveillance of his home to police.
A more prominent case is the ongoing imprisonment of Frenchie Mae Cumpio. This young journalist from Eastern Vista and Aksyon Radyo Tacloban was arrested on February 7, 2020, in Tacloban City. She was with four human rights activists when arrested. Accused of possessing illegal firearms, Cumpio’s supporters claim the charges are fabricated. The alleged evidence was planted. Cumpio’s reporting on Samar farmers and local communities angered authorities. She was “red-tagged,” labeled a communist without concrete evidence.
The protesters called for Cumpio’s immediate release and the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The task force has become a tool to silence dissent other than its original intent. The rally ended with a candle-lighting ceremony honoring the slain journalists. The event garnered significant online attention, underscoring the global concern over press freedom in the Philippines. The fight for press freedom in the Philippines continues.
