Let the media do their job. Defend press freedom and human rights!

We extend our solidarity and support to all members of the media by continuing to call for the recall of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) resolutions 1, 2 and 4 which seeks to employ ‘Tokhang’ on left-leaning individuals, government officials and members of the media.

In a statement dated March 4, 2021, the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) cited salient points on the unconstitutionality of the RLECC resolutions. The military is overstepping the bounds of their authority by imposing their political agenda on the media. To file charges against those who do not adhere to their pleas is dictatorial and a clear violation of the freedom of the press which is constitutionally guaranteed.

The BCBC posed a question on how an individual is identified as ‘left-leaning’ or a communist with the absence of substantial facts to support such claims. Are these based on mere suspicion and their subjective judgement? This makes the Operation Tokhang unjust and reek of malice. This brings to light their intention to control the narrative and present a one-sided view of the various crises our country is confronted with inorder to hide the failures of the Duterte regime and suppress the growing clamours of the people.

The press should be left to do their job in upholding their mandate of responsible broadcasting of information to the public while providing all sectors of society an avenue to air their grievances, opinions and legitimate demands.

Stop harassing the media and human rights defenders! Recall RLECC’s Tokhang resolution!  CPA Information PR