KARAPATAN condemns PNP-CIDG’s harassment of PUP student editor
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
27 November 2025
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN condemns PNP-CIDG’s harassment of PUP student editor
Human rights alliance Karapatan denounced the latest move of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to file indirect contempt charges against The Catalyst Associate Editor and Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag ng PUP (AKM-PUP) Chairperson Jacob Baluyot, calling it a blatant act of harassment and political repression targeting a student journalist critical of corruption and government’s anti-people policies.
Baluyot was made aware yesterday, November 26, of the Petition for Indirect Contempt filed by the PNP-CIDG, through Acting Director PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, alleging supposed “failure to obey subpoena duly served.” The petition seeks to compel Baluyot to appear before the police agency. A Quezon City regional trial court has set a summary hearing in January 2026, while giving Baluyot ten days to file an Opposition.
KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay said the case is part of a disturbing pattern of the government’s crackdown against activists and citizens who are calling for accountability on large-scale corruption and plunder of government officials, especially the Marcos Jr. administration and its minions.
“This is clear intimidation by state forces. Instead of responding to the call by the people, “Ikulong na ang mga kurakot,” they are desperately attempting to silence students, activists, and ordinary citizens who bear the burden of wanton corruption in the bureaucracy. The repeated visits by police officers to Baluyot’s barangay even after he formally responded through counsel reveal harassment and instill fear not just to Baluyot but to people who dare speak out against the real criminals in power,” said Palabay.
The circumstances leading to the petition raise further alarm. On October 7, the PNP-CIDG issued a subpoena to Baluyot in relation to its investigation into “violent incidents” during the September 21 anti-corruption protests. Baluyot, through counsel, responded on October 10, asserting his non-participation and citing the custodial nature of the inquiry. Despite this, police personnel continued to visit his community, an action Karapatan stresses “mirrors long-known forms of threat, harassment, and intimidation used by state agents against protesters.”
Defend PUP, the university’s human rights alliance, earlier slammed the police action, pointing out that instead of addressing rampant corruption and pursuing public officials who escaped accountability, state forces are training their sights on youth leaders exposing wrongdoing.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines likewise expressed alarm for Baluyot’s safety, asserting that student journalists must never be targets for doing their duty.
“Harassing a student journalist for reporting and for standing with the people against corruption is a grave assault on campus press freedom, academic freedom, and the democratic rights of the youth,” Palabay said. “We demand the immediate junking of this contempt petition, and an end to all forms of surveillance and intimidation against Baluyot and those who will be participating in the upcoming rallies, especially on November 30.”
KARAPATAN also called on the public to stand in solidarity with Baluyot and all fellow Filipinos under attack. “At a time when corruption thrives and accountability falters, we must resist and not fear. We should make our voices more resounding on November 30! Ikulong ang mga kurakot!” Palabay ended. ###
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.