Duterte is press-freedom enemy number one — PAMALAKAYA
Manila, Philippines — “Duterte is on a roll; after the shutdown of a broadcasting giant, chief and researcher of an online news site are now the target of political persecution,” According to the activist fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Monday, after online news Rappler chief Maria Ressa together with her co-defendant former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr., were found guilty of cyber libel.
In a statement, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said the guilty verdict against the media personalities “deliver a chilling effect” to other media practitioners who are about to expose an anomaly and corruption from the government, in fear for a cyber liber case.
“This is plain and simple attack against freedom of speech. Rappler has been the target of Duterte’s tirade and threat ever since for being critical against the government’s wickedness, most especially to the extra-judicial killings and human rights violations,” the fisherfolk leader added.
“Duterte will be recorded in history as the press freedom enemy number one. His attack against the critical press while railroading a repressive anti-terrorism bill are manifestations of a dictatorship. He should be reminded over and over that the last time a tyrant shutdown a media, he was ousted in power,” ended Hicap. ###
