Press Freedom Protection Archives | Page 21 of 76

Tabloid Reporter Shot Dead in Manila; Second Case of Journalist Killed in 2016

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A lone gunman shot dead a reporter for a weekly tabloid in Manila on 27 May 2016. The killing is the second incident of a journalist killed this year and only the seventh in the National Capital Region since 1986. Most of the journalists killed in the...

Accused Mastermind in 2011 Killing of Journalist Granted Bail

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – Former Coron City, Palawan, Mayor Marjo Reyes, one of the accused in the 2011 killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega, has been granted bail. Four days later, his brother and co-accused, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, took the stand to justify his own petition...

Muntinlupa Mayor’s supporters block journalists

SUPPORTERS OF the incumbent Mayor of Muntinlupa prevented members of the media from looking for vote-buying stories on 7 May 2016. According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Kit Lagare, producer and commentator of Kilatis Int’l Online TV, Malou Cabahug of DWAD and Pol...

Blocktimer Car Riddled with Bullets in Zamboanga del Norte

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A day before World Press Freedom Day, celebrated yearly on May 3, two motorcycle-riding men fired at the car of a local radio blocktimer in Sindangan town, Zamboanga del Norte. Zamboanga del Norte is 1066 kilometers south of Manila. Two armed men fired shots at an...

Journalist Accused of Libel Held in Court in Masbate; Cebu Journalists Face Libel Raps

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A Masbate Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge held in court a journalist who came late for a court hearing on 28 April 2016. Masbate is 576 kilometers south of Manila. RTC Judge Manuel L. Sese ordered the detention in court of BicolToday.com correspondent Elmer Bandol for...

Philippines Ranked 138th in 2016 World Press Freedom Index

THE PHILIPPINES remains among countries with “very difficult” press situations in the world, according to the 2016 World Press Freedom Index released by the Paris-based group Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF- Reporters Without Borders) on April 20, 2016. Annually published since 2002, the index “reflects the intensity of the attacks...

Mayoralty Candidate Sues Journalists for Libel

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A candidate for mayor of Dapa, Surigao Del Norte has filed libel charges against several local journalists over a report on her supposed “swindling” of the residents of a barangay (village) in Surigao del Norte province. Surigao del Norte is approximately 1146 kilometers South of Manila....

Batangas Court Acquits Suspect in 2009 Broadcaster Killing

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – A court in Batangas acquitted a police officer accused of killing a lawyer-broadcaster in 2009. The decision was promulgated 14 April 2016. Lipa City Regional Trial Court Branch 85 Judge Wilfredo Castillo acquitted and ordered the release of police officer Darwin Quimoyog who was accused...

Journalists Harassed in Kidapawan City

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – Several journalists reported being harassed while covering the dispersal of the picket of farmers in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato on 1 April 2016. The farmers were rallying to demand from the local government relief subsidies due to poor harvests because of prolonged drought. Kidapawan City is...

Former Gov’s Aide Convicted in Ortega Case

CMFR/PHILIPPINES – The Puerto Princesa City court convicted of murder last 7 March 2016 one of the suspects in the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega in 2011. Branch 52 Judge Angelo Arizala of the Regional Trial Court of Puerto Princesa City sentenced Arturo “Nonoy” Regalado...