The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) marked World Press Freedom Day by condemning the government's inaction against red-tagging and media harassment. The organization emphasized that the environment for journalists remains perilous.
"The climate of impunity persists, making safety measures ineffective against real threats," the NUJP stated in a recent release.
The group urged the public to support journalists in their fight for press freedom and democracy.
In the four years under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., NUJP reported 242 incidents of media freedom violations, with 43% attributed to government and security forces.
Since 2022, ten journalists have been killed, with the NUJP highlighting the failure of authorities to ensure justice for these crimes.
A notable case is that of RJ Ledesma, a community journalist killed during a military operation, who was falsely labeled a combatant.
"The Philippine military lied through its teeth, claiming that our colleague was a combatant in an attempt to justify the murder," the NUJP asserted.
The NUJP also criticized the continued detention of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been jailed since 2020 on charges viewed as politically motivated.
International nonprofit Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has also condemned the government's use of red-tagging to suppress press freedom, highlighting Cumpio's case as emblematic.
The NUJP recorded 39 incidents of red-tagging since June 2016, noting the Marcos administration's refusal to dismantle the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, known for its red-tagging activities.
The organization criticized the government for ignoring a Supreme Court ruling that deemed red-tagging a serious threat to life and liberty.
Beyond red-tagging, journalists face legal threats, harassment, and cyberattacks, creating a hostile environment for media professionals.