The Central Luzon Media Association Pampanga Chapter, the premier press club in Pampanga province, has denounced the brazen attacks of heavily armed demolition team of Clarkhills Properties Corporation against its members during the most violent uprooting of residents at Sitio Balubad, Barangay Anunas, Angeles City on Tuesday.
Heavily armed men wearing bonnets had threatened to shoot both Rowena Quejada, of K5 Radio FM; and Joann Manabat, of Rappler, for taking videos and fielding live reports during the violent demolition. An unidentified Japanese national who was harmed repeatedly by the armed men helped hid Quejada in his house and waited until the tension eased.
Quejada’s celphone, wallet and other belongings had been taken by the armed men who were reportedly ransacking each houses at Sitio Balubad. Quejada was earlier reported missing by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Olongapo.
Quejada narrated she approached a demolition team inside Sitio Balubad when accosted by the “menacing’ armed men who took her celphone. The armed men tried to shoot Quejada but the Japanese national interceded and pleaded to the armed men not to harm her. Instead, the armed men took turns hurting the Japanese national.
The armed men had also threatened to shoot Manabat who was recording the situation in the area during the demolition. Manabat was able to leave the area unharmed.
In a statement, the CLMA Pampanga President Boy Santiago said: “This alarming incident not only poses a direct threat to the lives of these journalists but also serves as a blatant attack on the freedom of the press.”
“Ms. Manabat and Ms. Quejada, both members of CLMA, were simply carrying out their duties as journalists to inform the public about the latest developments in the community.
“They were committed to reporting the news without fear or favor, and yet they were faced with a menacing threat of physical harm, clearly intended to intimidate and suppress their practice of a free and independent press,” said Santiago.
CMLA-Pampanga urged authorities take swift and decisive action to investigate “this deplorable incident and bring those responsible to justice.”
“The safety and security of journalists must be prioritized and any attempt to intimidate or harm them must be met with the full force of the law,” according to Santiago.
“CMLA-Pampanga will remain vigilant in protecting the public’s right to truthful information and ensuring the safety of the dedicated men and women who risk their lives to uphold this vital mission. We stand in solidarity with Ms. Manabat, Ms. Quejada and all journalists who continue to uphold the values of a free press in the face of intimidation and danger,” said Santiago.
“Freedom of the press is non-negotiable, and we will continue to defend it with unwavering resolve.”