News Roundup 15 June 2022
Jun 15, 2022 • 4 min Read
Red-tagging puts lives in danger, file cases instead, Guevarra says | INQUIRER.NET – Red-tagging puts labeled people or groups in danger, so, instead of publicly tagging them as connected to armed groups, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the government should file charges against them if they have evidence. “What is the point of labeling people? Kung meron namang ebidensya against them, follow the necessary legal action [If there is evidence against them, follow the necessary legal action,” Guevarra said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum. Guevarra said if the person or group is being suspected only because of their political views but has no concrete evidence, “wag ka na lang magsalita dahil you are endangering certain people who are just vocal about their own political views [it is better not to talk about it because you are putting in danger certain people who are just vocal about their own political views].” “As far as the DOJ (Department of Justice) is concerned, if you have evidence, file the appropriate complaints, do whatever is necessary to prosecute them. [Otherwise] stop labeling them,” Guevarra said. The outgoing DOJ chief said the DOJ already expressed its position to the NTF-ELCAC but he is not aware if his advice has been followed. He said labeling persons and organizations is not within the mandate of NTF-ELCAC.
Guanzon sits as P3PWD’s representative | INQUIRER.NET – Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon will represent the P3PWD (Komunidad ng Pamilya, Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities) Party-list in Congress. This, after the Comelec granted the withdrawal of the nomination of P3PWD’s five nominees namely Grace Yeneza, Ira Paulo Pozon, Marianne Heidi Cruz Fullon, Peter Jonas David, and Lily Grace Tiangco. The poll body likewise approved the new list of nominees which includes Guanzon as the first nominee.
Journalists to PNP: Nothing wrong with reporting on peasant rights, land issues | PHILSTAR.COM – There is nothing wrong with reporting on peasant rights and other issues of public, journalists said after the Philippine National Police questioned the presence of media workers at a land cultivation activity in Tarlac. Eleven journalists, including nine campus journalists, were among those arrested during a ‘bungkalan’ (land cultivation) activity at Hacienda Tinang in Concepcion town last week. They were nabbed despite identifying themselves as members of the press. On Monday, Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., PNP officer-in-charge until a chief is appointed, questioned the presence of journalists there. “Why are you with those militants? What is your purpose there? That’s my question for you… In the first place, if you went there, you’re already with those people,” he said. In response, alternative media network Altermidya asked: “Why not?” Journalists were covering the launch of a farmers’ cultivation program in anticipation of their formal installation as agrarian reform benefeciaries. “The gathering was well within the farmers’ expression of their right to free assembly and speech, and more importantly, an assertion of their right to land that has been denied from them for almost three decades,” Altermidya said. “When has it been wrong for the media to report on issues that involve peasant rights and public interest?” Aside from covering government programs and social events, journalists also report about social issues such as land disputes and the agrarian reform program. The International Federation of Journalists meanwhile called the detention of journalists and the spread of unfounded allegations against them “highly concerning.” “Police must ensure the safety of journalists in the field and protect press freedom. The IFJ calls on the authorities to immediately drop all charges against the journalists,” it said in a statement. Human Rights Watch meanwhile said that Danao sought to undermine the credibility of journalists by practically accusing them of participating in the event. “Lt. Gen Danao should recognize that freedom of the press means reporters should be able to go where they need to in order to cover the story they are working on,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW’s Asia division. “What is particularly disturbing is Lt. Gen. Danao’s dismissive attitude towards the rights of Filipinos to hold a peaceful public assembly, and his threats to violently disperse them”” he added, noting that this kind of confrontational and aggressive police attitude is uncalled for. The eleven journalists and others arrested in Concepcion were released on bail on Sunday and are scheduled for arraignment on Friday. The mass arrests led to crowdfunding efforts to raise money for the bail of journalists, activists, and farmers.
