MANILA — Describing the successive attacks this week on provincial media practitioners as “despicable,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the local law enforcement agencies to “carry out a swift and thorough investigation.”
In a statement, Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said attacks on journalists have “no place in a democracy that upholds press freedom.”
MANILA –Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran expressed condemnation for the shooting of Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent in Southern Tagalog Delfin Mallari, saying that the shooting could very well be politically-motivated.
“Sonny is a journalist with a firm sense of social justice and an advocate of human rights. His reports and commentaries reveal his humane and humanitarian advocacies even as they are objectively written and delivered. There is strong basis to allege that his shooting was politically motivated and intended to either discourage his espousal of activist causes or completely silence him. We are much relieved to hear that he survived the attack and pray for his recovery. We extend a hand in comfort to his wife and family,” said Beltran.
MANILA — Malacanang assured today that more than anyone else, the Philippine government is determined to put an end to the issue of political violence and human rights violations in the country.
Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the government is “working in an open and transparent way” and with the support of international partners to put an end to human rights violations.
NEWS RELEASE
18 April 2007
Reference: Rep. Liza Largoza-Maza, Gabriela Women?s Partylist (09209134540)
Cristina Palabay, GWP Secretary General (09175003879)
Gabriela Women?s Partylist Headquarters (9284007)
Gabriela solon to IPU: ?We are being harassed?
“The Arroyo administration is out to persecute and kill us and members of our political parties. It is out to disenfranchise our constituents by harassing and demonizing political parties that are gaining the support of the people as part of the political opposition.” This was the statement of Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party during a meeting with members of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) this afternoon at the Westin Philippine Plaza in Manila.
6 April 2007
Army to militants: Prove AFP?s link in Oton shooting, abduction
Reply to statement of Ms Hope Hervilla, Regional Coordinator of the Activist Party-List Bayan Muna blaming/accusing the military on the attempted murder and abduction of certain Maria Posa Dominado, Ely Garachico and Nilo Arado.