NUJP: ‘Oust Duterte plot’ opens more attack against media, lawyers

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed fears that the release of the ‘Oust Duterte plot’ matrix would lead to more attacks against independent media and human rights lawyers.

“What we do fear is that this “revelation” could be a prelude to a crackdown against independent media and human rights lawyers,” the group said in a statement.

“In light of this, we call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and news outfits to close ranks and resist any attempt to silence the press,” the group added.

The statement was issued after Malacañang confirmed that the “Oust-Duterte plot” matrix, which was published in the Manila Times, was the same information the Palace was supposed to release Monday.

The matrix has linked media organizations and journalists to the destabilization efforts against President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration.

READ: Palace confirms existence of ‘Oust-Duterte plot’

Among the groups included in the matrix were Rappler, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Vera Files, and National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

According to the matrix, all these media outfits and union were related to Ellen Tordesillas, who was allegedly linked to “Bikoy.”

“Bikoy,” purportedly a former member of a drug syndicate, has been uploading videos linking close allies and relatives of President Duterte to illegal drugs.

NUJP then threatened Dante Ang, author of the Manila Times story, that if journalists of the said media outfits are harmed following the release of the matrix, he should be held accountable.

“Should any harm come to those he has maligned, Dante Ang should be held just as fully accountable,” the group stated.

“Again, we reiterate, history has proven that attempts to silence the independent Philippine press may succeed for a while but, in the end, the truth will out, and tyrants will always end up in the dustbin of history,” NUJP added. /ee