CHR looks into red-tagging of Mindanao journalists
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights said the agency is investigating the red-tagging of two Cagayan de Oro journalists as it called on authorities to ensure the protection of personalities targeted in anti-communist propaganda.
In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said the red-tagging of Mindanao Gold Star Daily associate editor Leonardo Vicente “Cong” Corrales and MindaNews journalist Froilan Gallardo is an “attack against our right to truth and the right to be fully informed.”
“Previous threats against them continue to escalate as they are being targeted for bounty and being accused of alleged involvement in criminal cases through concerted vilification campaign from indeterminate groups,” De Guia said.
False bounty, rebel links
The flyer targeting Corrales, a former director of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, claimed there is a P1-million bounty for his death. The material also made the “totally false claim” that Corrales is facing a rape with murder charge involving a child, the NUJP said.
Corrales had also been previously accused in flyers of having links to the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army, an allegation he has categorically denied.
Gallardo, meanwhile, was included on the list of organizations and personalities supposedly linked to communist rebels.
CHR urged security forces in Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao to probe the incident and make sure the red-tagged personalities are protected from harassment and attacks.
“We in the commission underscore that journalism is essential to peace, sustainable development and justice as reporters are the ones going to the most dangerous places to deliver us and justice as reporters are the ones going to the most dangerous places to deliver us information and give voice to the most marginalized sectors,” De Guia said.
She added: “There is a need to ensure a safe and enabling media environment to foster a free and balanced reporting of the real state of affairs in the country and to hold people in power to account. And of course, there is no real complete democracy without a genuine media freedom.”
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