NUJP denounces harassment of 2 provincial journalists

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PUBLISHED ON May 18, 2008 AT 8:04 AM

Does snapping at journalists reflect culture of impunity?

BY ACE ALEGRE
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 15, May 18-24, 2008

BAGUIO CITY (246 kms from Manila) – Does snapping at journalists reflect the culture of impunity, which is the main reason for the unabated killing of not just journalists but also activists?

A media organization says so, going by its stand regarding the abrasive behavior of Alfonso Lista Town Vice Mayor Clarence Polig towards two news correspondents of a national daily.

“The harassment of Malaya correspondent Ma. Elena Catajan and photographer Redgie Cawis illustrates very clearly how the culture of impunity in this country is allowed to flourish and embolden those who would wish to suppress the free Philippine press,” said Joe Torres, chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). The incident had already reached the offices of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which issued an alert.

Studies showed that most of the media killings in the country have happened in the provinces where politicians like Polig reportedly have their own fiefdoms, together with warlords, corrupt military and police officials, and crime lords.

Still trembling as she related her experience while covering a festival in the Ifugao province, Catajan said that she and Cawis were “snapped at” by Polig, even to the point that guns were reportedly drawn.

Catajan and Cawis went to Alfonso Lista together with Department of Tourism-Cordillera regional director Purificacion Molintas last May 10 to cover the town’s festival.

After data gathering and taking photographs, they went to Polig’s house for an interview. Polig is a direct descendant of Alfonso Lista, after whom the town is named.

Catajan said that she first wanted to re-schedule the interview as it was already dark and raining heavily, but Polig said that he would be busy the following day. “I agreed to conduct the interview immediately,” Catajan said.

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