[NEWS] NUJP relaunches Safety Office to document election-related attacks on PH media

[National Union of Journalists of the Philippines]

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) relaunched today, April 13, its Safety Office to monitor, document and respond to different forms of violations to press freedom.

Since October 2021, at least three journalists have been killed. The latest being Audrey Estrada, a broadcaster in Lanao del Norte who was found dead in her house in March with 15 stab wounds. In December, Pampanga-based journalist Jesus "Jess" Malabanan was shot by unidentified assailants inside their store in Calbayog City, Samar. In October, broadcaster Orlando "Dondon" Dinoy was also shot and killed inside his rented apartment in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

NUJP Chairperson Jonathan de Santos said colleagues have been barred from coverage of election campaign activities or have been put under pressure for their reports. He added that the threats and attempts to silence the press have gone beyond physical, citing the recent cyberattacks on the websites of several media outfits.

De Santos also cited the continued red-tagging of journalists on social media and in government statements, which he said, “increases the risk that our colleagues face since online attacks can easily and have at times spilled over to physical ones.”

“We have seen in past elections that attacks against and attempts to silence the press increase nearer to the elections, which makes the relaunch of the NUJP Safety Office timely,” De Santos said.

“Actions and statements that tend to minimize or play down attacks and threats against journalists make attacks more likely and also make it more difficult for colleagues to report when they are victims,” the NUJP Chairperson said.

Safety officers for the three islands and the hotline numbers were also announced during the online launch.

For Luzon, Raymund B. Villanueva, a veteran journalist for 30 years and former deputy secretary general can be reached through mobile number 0966-6404631.

For the Visayas, Michael Jay Advincula, member of Cebu-based Aninaw Productions, can be reached through mobile number 0912-0921366.

For Mindanao, Kath Cortez, NUJP Vice President and Davao Today journalist, can be reached through mobile number 0915-0559425.

Cortez, also the NUJP’s main safety trainer, said the Safety Office is part of the Union’s efforts to build the capacity of journalists and media workers to protect themselves. The program started in 2009, a few months after the Ampatuan Massacre which claimed the lives of 32 media workers.

The reactivation of the Safety Office is made possible with the support of the German Embassy in Manila.
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For video of the launch, click this link: https://fb.watch/cl-PvU3pvX/

Reference:
NUJP Directorate

+639175155991

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