BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental media groups on Tuesday issued a unity statement denouncing what they called the malicious spreading through social media of anonymous lists of purported drug personalities, which included the names of at least 15 members of the media.
The Negros Press Club and National Union of Journalists in the Philippines called on authorities to find those responsible for the circulation of such lists and “prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
The lists include the names of a congressman, two mayors, a vice mayor, councilors, policemen, drug personalities and the media.
Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, whose name was included in two of three lists being circulated, called on authorities to act on the matter and vowed to take legal action against those responsible for besmirching his name.
Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod), whose name was on one list, also denied the allegation made against him.
The NPC and NUJP in their joint statement said: “the inconsistencies and seeming lack of logic in the composition of these lists indicate that these were drawn up by conflicting parties out to destroy each other while, at the same time, attempting to muddle their tracks by including random names, including our colleagues.”
The first of these lists tagged those named as “subject for neutralization,” a euphemism for killings, a serious threat considering that all three include the names of lawyer Rafael Atutubo and SPO4 Oscar Exaltado, who were both murdered by still unknown gunmen, the statement said.
This is unfortunate because, even as the war on drugs claimed thousands of lives all over the country, almost all of the victims were deprived of their right to due process, Bacolod City has relatively been spared the bloodshed – until recently, that is, it said.
“Aside from the killings, we have also seen how even ranking city and law enforcement officials have been arbitrarily accused of involvement in drugs without any valid proof being presented,”.
These lists are “unacceptable to us, not only as journalists but as citizens of this country who share and deserve to enjoy the rights guaranteed by our Constitution and the laws of the land. No one, and we mean no one, should be subjected to trial by publicity and, worse, punished without being accorded due process.”
They said they expect authorities – both law enforcement and the civil government – to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of all citizens, especially the innocent.
“We demand that they investigate and get the cowards and criminals – for what they have done is a crime – responsible for creating and spreading these lists and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” the two media groups said.
They also called on all members of the media community of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental “to close ranks and defend our integrity even as we urge everyone to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards as we go about our work.”
“Let us not be cowed by these slanders and threats. Let us remain committed to our calling and continue to serve the people’s right to know,” their statement said./lzb