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October
6, 2006
The International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) is appalled that arrest warrants
for 10 publishers and journalists of three Cavite-based
newspapers were issued in relation to defamation
charges filed by Governor Erineo "Ayong"
Maliksi.
According to IFJ affiliate the
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
(NUJP), Judge Norberto Quisumbing Jr of the regional
trial court in Imas, Cavite, on October 2, ordered
the arrests of Rudy Apolo, a columnist and publisher
of the Asian Star Journal and Asia Star Balita,
and three members of his editorial staff, Reynaldo
and Michelle (also Rudy's children), and Ed Lara
Cuvinar.
Other arrest warrants were reportedly
issued for Archie Gadang, editor in chief of Katapat,
and his staff Leonardo Eduave and Jimmy Saberon;
and Tony Tabbad of Peryodiko and two of his editorial
staff. Bail was set at P10, 000 (approximately
USD 200) but no date was set for pre-trial hearings.
"The fact that in one day,
10 arrest warrants can be issued in a defamation
case lodged by one person is simply ridiculous,"
IFJ President Christopher Warren said.
"This ludicrous situation
only adds to the already abysmal record of criminal
defamation cases in the Philippines, where a journalist
has received 32 years jail for libel and the president's
husband is currently suing 43 journalists for
defamation," Warren said.
This latest case comes as hundreds
of Filipino journalists and their international
colleagues, including the IFJ, signed a petition
calling for the decriminalisation of defamation
in the Philippines.
"This is clearly another
attempt to silence journalists, and the IFJ calls
for the governor to drop all charges against these
journalists," Warren said.
"The continued use of criminal
defamation laws by public officials demonstrates
a total disregard for the fundamental right of
free speech," Warren said.
The IFJ, the organisation representing
more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries,
again calls on the government of the Philippines
to decriminalise defamation immediately, to ensure
that excessive cases such as this cannot occur.
To view the full report visit
www.ifj-asia.org
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