The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned to learn of death threats issued against a radio broadcaster and office bearer of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Cotabato City, Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.
Vern Simon, 42, vice chair of the NUJP’s Cotabato City chapter and a reporter at radio station dxMS, owned by the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation, said the threats were relayed to him by friends, reported IFJ affiliate the NUJP.
Simon, who anchors a daily editorial program Punto't Opinyon, told the NUJP he had heard of threats since May 16, but only
took them seriously when the threats were confirmed by friends in the military
and police intelligence community. The source of the threats is unknown.
Simon was alerted to the latest threat on June 1, when several men arrived at the dxMS office looking for Simon, introduced themselves as members of the intelligence unit of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MLBT) and said that Simon had been threatened.
Simon later called MBLT-7 Commanding Officer Doroteo Jose Jalandoni, who confirmed that his unit has received word that there was an imminent threat to kill Simon. Jalandoni promised to provide Simon with full security.
Cotabato City councillor Willy Bueno also alerted Simon he had received similar information from his “sources”.Simon has not received a direct threat as yet.
Edwin Fernandez, dxMS station manager, said the station’s management had put in place safety measures in response to the threats and instructed other reporters on safety precautions.
Fernandez said threats against local journalists were not uncommon, and Cotabato City was known as a haven for guns-for-hire.
“The IFJ is extremely concerned for the safety of journalist and union official Vern Simon,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“The rapid response to the threats by the authorities and Simon’s employer is to be applauded – this quick action discourages those who make these cowardly threats to journalists and media workers.”
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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