MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday urged concerned government authorities to act swiftly on the attack at the Abante News Group’s printing facility in Parañaque City and bring the perpetrators to justice.
READ: 4 men attack Abante News printing plant in Parañaque City
OVP spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said the office condemns “in the strongest possible terms” of the attack against Abante.
(Photo courtesy of Abante)
“This brazen assault on our free press cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged,” Gutierrez said in a statement.
“A free press is essential in a free nation, and this attempt to intimidate and silence Abante must be resisted by all freedom-loving Filipinos,” he added.
Abante Managing Editor Fernando Jadulco earlier said the attack happened between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Monday.
Armed men entered the printing plant and poured gasoline onto printing machines and supplies before setting them on fire.
READ: Tabloid printing plant incident first reported as simple fire
“In the meantime, we send this message to all those who seek to curtail our freedoms through threats and violence: We will not be cowed. We will stand together and defend our freedom,” Gutierrez said. /gsg
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