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NUJP blasts ‘increasingly authoritarian’ Duterte’s tactics vs. critics, possible Ressa arrest
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Sunday released a statement condemning the supposedly imminent arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, accusing the government of trying to intimidate its critics.
"The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) warns government against pursuing plans to arrest Rappler CEO Maria Ressa when she returns to the country this weekend," the journalists' guild said in a statement.
"Government can surely pursue its case without needing to arrest Maria and haul her off to jail—unless, of course, the intention is really to humiliate and intimidate her," it added.
Arresting the journalist would be a clear signal of the country's "fast receding democracy," NUJP said.
Statement on warrant of arrest vs @mariaressa @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/aJnQdwvhZ6
— NUJP (@nujp) December 2, 2018
— NUJP (@nujp) December 2, 2018
The NUJP described President Rogrido Duterte's administration as "feckless" and unable to "abide criticism and free expression," to the point that it will take "ridiculous" measures to silence those who oppose it.
News website Rappler and its CEO Ressa are facing four tax evasion cases before the Court of Tax Appeals.
Another case was filed before a Pasig court alleging that the news site violated Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and failed to report its total quarterly sales receipts coming from the issuance and sale of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDR) in the second quarter of 2015.
The NUJP said that Duterte "as never bothered to disguise his loathing" for Rappler— launching tirades against its news site and having its Palace reporter barred from media briefings—and for critical media in general.
"More than his inability to tolerate dissent, Duterte's relentless persecution of media appears to be part of the increasingly authoritarian direction his presidency has taken," the NUJP said.
The journalists' association ended its statement with a warning that the people will soon realize the need to win back their suppressed rights and liberties.
"Ferdinand Marcos learned that lesson bitterly. We hope Mr. Duterte does not need to," it said. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News
