“We should not be restricted or intimidated in doing our jobs as journalists,” says NUJP’s Kath Cortez

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – With the upcoming first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in May 2025, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed concern over the potential increase in media attacks due to election-related violence.

During the “Safeguarding the Bangsamoro Votes and Protecting Election Defenders” dialogue organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) held this week, several journalists covering BARMM highlighted the challenges facing Mindanao-based journalists.

The latest violent incident with Bandera Cotabato Company Profile Editor Jasper Acosta and reporter Aika Kamid, who were caught in a crossfire between armed groups from opposition political parties in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, were cited during the event. The hostility was sparked by intense rivalry between political camps.

Shariff Aguak is about 20 kilometers from the site of the infamous Maguindanao massacre in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman, Ampatuan City.

“It’s not just about ensuring the safety of journalists, but also about ensuring their access to information,” said NUJP National Security Officer Kath Cortez. “We should not be restricted or intimidated when doing our jobs as journalists.”

The first Bangsamoro election he will hold simultaneously with the May 12, 2025 mid-term elections, where people across the country will elect new party-list senators and representatives. Local officials will also be elected in next year’s polls.

There are proposals in Congress to postpone the BARMM elections to 2026, which Malacañang is student.

Commemoration

Before November 23, the NUJP led the 15th anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre that killed 58 people, including 32 media workers. Journalists lit candles and offered red ribbons in honor of the deceased.

Cortez emphasized that while Judgment in December 2019 which sentenced some of the Ampatuans gave some semblance of justice, the court decision was still “partial”. Many suspects are still at large, some were acquitted and the Ampatuan family continues to appeal the verdict, the former NUJP national vice president added.

The victims’ families have also yet to receive the mandatory compensation from the Ampatuans.

Cortez also highlighted the continued killings of journalists in the country and the prevailing culture of impunity, referring to the killing of the broadcaster Percy Lapid under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022. Although warrants have been issued, authorities have yet to arrest the former head of the Department of Corrections Gerald Bantagthe alleged mastermind behind Lapid’s murder.

“The list of media attacks in the country is too long,” Cortez said, adding that the issue is often politicized. She also urged politicians to go beyond campaign promises and find concrete solutions to address media attacks and protect press freedom.

Meanwhile, former Maguindanao governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatuwho lost a wife and two sisters in the massacre, said he would not visit the massacre site for the first time this year because of the security risks of dilapidated roads and other potential dangers.

“It is not safe to enter (the area). I asked for help, but they said it’s too dangerous. The road may collapse and because of the distance we have to walk, there may be snipers, Mangudadatu said in a phone interview.

Usually, Mangudadatu would visit the venue every year with a convoy of supporters, relatives and members of the media.

When asked if he has forgiven the Ampatuans, given his current political alliance with Bai Bong Midtimbang-Ampatuan, wife of former ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan, he said: “I have forgiven them. I have it in my heart, but the question if justice is separate It is up to the court to decide on Datu Zaldy’s appeal to be released from prison.”

Zaldy, Datu Andal Jr. and Anwar Sr. was sentenced 2019 over the cruel massacre.

“I think political maturity has grown, but only to a minimal extent,” he said.

He added: “My appeal to them is to remember what happened in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, especially what happened recently during the filing of candidacy in Shariff Aguak. It was chaotic. I hope these political leaders do not let their followers get caught up in heated actions, and I also call on followers to protect their leaders from being involved in bloody conflicts.” – Rappler.com