Manila Today editor harassed for covering protest action, threatened online

CMFR/ PHILIPPINES — On September 3, an unidentified man confronted and harassed Manila Today news editor Roy Barbosa as he covered a protest action in Malolos, Bulacan, some 41 km north of Metro Manila.

The protest action was held in support of labor activists Ed Cubelo and Rodrigo Esparago who filed a motion to dismiss their case, and 26 other individuals, who are facing anti-terrorism charges in Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 12. 

On the same day, Manila Today reported that the alleged attacker did not identify himself, saying only that he was a “private citizen” and a “vlogger” and not from the area. Barbosa told CMFR via phone that the man did not say if the vlogger was working on his own or for a media outfit. 

The man also demanded that Barbosa delete his live video footage of the protest action, threatening Barbosa with legal action if he did not do so. The harassment subjected the reporter and his companions to repeated yelling, spitting, and gender-shaming. Barbosa told CMFR, “naninigaw siya at nanduduro, sabi niya itong bakla ‘to,” (“he was shouting, threatening, saying “this gay,”); he also made a phone call, claiming he was in contact with the chief of police. 

Barbosa’s tormentor followed him as he walked to his vehicle. He was safe in his car when police arrived, five uniformed personnel, to disrupt the activity. 

Barbosa said that lawyer Josa Deinla from the National Union of People’s Lawyers NUPL mediated the confrontation. While the person insisted on removing the video, Barbosa argued that it would be self-censorship as the video recorded a public activity which was his duty to report. 

It was not the first time for Barbosa to experience intimidation and harassment, particularly while reporting on the cases of Cubelo and Esparago.

On July 11, Barbosa received a Facebook message from an unknown person, warning him not to support the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and labor activists, threatening Barbosa with a legal case. His message read: “Hoy tumigil na kayong sumusuporta sa teroristang grupo CPP-NPA at rekruter nyong si Rodrego Esparago at Ed Cubelo. Hintayin nyo lang den ang kasu sainyo mga salot lahat kayo mauubos din.”  

On September 3, a few hours after the incident and the publication of Barbosa’s report on the protest, the editor received a Facebook message that red-tagged him. “Di ka na nagtanda. Mga salot kayong NPA,” (You have not learned, you NPA are a plague) the message with his full name read in all caps.

“As a media practitioner, it is within my responsibility to report on the cases targeted against activists who forward their own causes. For certain state forces and individuals to extend this rampant red-tagging, harassment, and intimidation, especially towards alternative media journalists like me while I am on coverage, further implicates a threat to safety and security, both online and offline,” said Barbosa in the report.

Manila Today also condemned the attack in a September 3 statement, adding that “the message is clear: every time the media attempts to report on justice and hold those accountable… journalists are harassed and intimidated.” Manila Today is an alternative online news outfit focusing on issues in Metro Manila. It is also part of the AlterMidya Network.