THE NATIONAL Union of the Journalists of the Philippines Olongapo-Zambales Chapter denounces the threats perpetrated against our member, Ms. Joanna Rose Aglibot, by some village officials in Barangay San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales.
Ms. Aglibot, a news correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, has complained about being threatened with legal charges by village chief Fortunato de la Cruz for writing about the distribution of tainted rice and allegations of falsified receipts in that barangay.
In the course of investigating the issue, Ms. Aglibot has gathered evidence, communicated with sources and interviewed people involved in the matter.
The published article reflected the apology of De la Cruz after admitting that the sacks of rice were indeed tainted. In the same article, De La Cruz and the village’s treasurer denied allegations they asked the rice dealer to tamper with the receipts.
Despite these facts, De la Cruz has accused Ms. Aglibot of fabricating details in that particular report.
In a meeting organized by De la Cruz at the village hall on Saturday, which was live streamed on Facebook, the village head was heard threatening Ms. Aglibot that he would file charges against her.
Ms. Aglibot has also been a subject of cyberbullying, apparently from De la Cruz’s relatives and supporters.
In this light, we strongly condemn this form of intimidation against a journalist who is only doing her essential duty of monitoring and reporting about the real situations on the ground, especially during a national health emergency.
NUJP finds it worrisome that these reactions of some local officials run counterproductive to their mandate to protect the fundamental rights of the public to be well informed.
These threats that clearly suppress the freedom of the press, freedom to inform and the right to know must stop now and never be tolerated in a democratic society.
(NUJP Olongapo-Zambales Chapter statement, April 6, 2020)
