Controversial Davao-based Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has claimed that the ecumenical youth group Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) was created and operated by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Facebook page Kalumuran Mindanao posted anew a graphic accusing PJ Dizon, secretary-general of labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) in Davao Region as a “recruiter” of the New People’s Army (NPA).
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chairperson Jonathan de Santos said the country is “partly free” when it comes to publishing stories and covering certain issues, but undeniably, “there is a fear of reprisal, and there actually have been cases of reprisals.”
Women’s group Gabriela-Southern Mindanao Region described this as a “political vilification” against progressive individuals from Davao including two of their current leaders, Dr. Jean Lindo and Cora Espinoza.
Accusations were made by personalities of the Quiboloy-owned media network SMNI against Filipino journalists Atom Araullo, Inday Espina-Varona, and Vergel Santos. The former branded the latter as "operatives" of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).