Attack on press freedom “plain and simple dictatorship’ – militant groups
Manila, Philippines — The militant groups Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) and Anakpawis in a joint statement today denounced President Rodrigo Duterte as the “main culprit behind the closure” of the media giant ABS-CBN broadcasting network yesterday.
“There is no single word that can describe this brazen attack on press freedom but a dictatorship. This is a de facto martial law. A dictator in Malacañang is taking advantage of the pandemic to impose an iron fist rule,”
“Shutting down a TV network which has been one of the credible sources of information is a manifestation that every Filipino is under attack. Only through the unity of every sectors can we end this darkness and evil prevailing in our country,”
“We are calling on all democracy-loving Filipinos, Kapamilya and Kapuso, champions of freedom of expression, and concerned citizens to stand united against this evident tyranny in the name of restoring our civil and democratic liberties,” Anakpawis and PAMALAKAYA said in a joint statement. ###
