The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says the Philippines Government must immediately explain the purpose of an “Order of Battle” list reportedly produced by the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippines Army, based in Mindanao, and which includes names of journalists.
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an IFJ affiliate, the list includes more than 100 names of people allegedly belonging to “legal fronts” of the communist rebel movement, including former NUJP secretary general Carlos Conde.
In a public statement on May 26, division spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Decapia said the order had been falsified and manipulated by the congressman who discovered it.
“The implications of this for Mr Conde are bad enough. But we also worry for the more than 800 members of the NUJP nationwide, particularly those in Davao and Southern Mindanao who, because of the 10th Infantry Division’s recalcitrance, are now endangered,” the NUJP said in a statement on May 27.
“Any government-produced document that openly vilifies legal personalities and organisations as enemies of the state has the potential to endanger these people’s lives,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“The Government of Gloria Arroyo-Macapagal must accept responsibility not just for its silence on impunity against journalists but for actively encouraging suspicion and violence against the Philippines media community.”
The failure of the Arroyo Government to intervene to end the culture of impunity against the Philippines media has earned the Philippines an unenviable reputation as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world.
Of the seven journalists killed in the Philippines in 2008, six were murdered. Already this year, two journalists have survived murder attempts after the fatal shooting of radio broadcaster Ernie Rollin on February 23.
More than 60 journalists have been killed since the President Arroyo came into power in 2001. This is the worst media death toll under any Philippines president, the NUJP reports.
The IFJ calls on regional and international affiliates and the international media community to send messages of solidarity to the NUJP as it continues its courageous work to uphold press freedom in the Philippines despite the great risks.
Messages of solidarity may be sent to [email protected] or [email protected]
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide