THE Cagayan de Oro chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and human rights group Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) in Northern Mindanao have condemned anew the latest red-tagging against the NUJP and other rights defenders.
On Sunday, July 7, "malicious" propaganda materials were found posted on the fence of the Iglesia Fiipina Independiente (IFI) church in Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City, tagging the NUJP, Union of Peoples Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) and Association for Community Cooperation and Rural Development (Accord) as front organizations of the New People's Army (NPA).
In a statement, the NUJP condemned the latest red-tagging, saying it is an act clearly meant to intimidate and silence a critical press.
NUJP-Cagayan de Oro chapter chairperson Pamela Jay Orias said the NUJP is not a "front" for any organization but a group that stood and continues to stand firmly for the safety and welfare of Filipino journalists and media workers, as well as for the practice of good, solid and ethical journalism.
"The NUJP is not a front for any organization. But is shall and will also not stand idly by while the truth is under persistent attack; it shall and will not cower while freedom of the press and the people's right to truthful, accurate and relevant information is under assault," Orias said.
"Perhaps, the people behind this dastardly act need reminding that a free press is guaranteed under the Philippine Constitution. Perhaps, the people behind this despicable act need reminding that journalists are not enemies of the state. Perhaps, the people behind these lies forget that journalists are just truth-tellers whose job serve the public interest," she added.
The group called on the perpetrators to stop the vilification campaign against the NUJP and against other rights organization.
"Your lies endanger journalists; your lies put people's lives at risk," the group said.
On the other hand, MAT-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Fr. Roland Abejo reiterated how dangerous the posters can be.
He said the posters do not only desecrated the church but have put these organizations and their members in grave danger.
"Thousands of activists and rights defenders were subsequently killed and attacked after being branded as communist members or supporters. Just yesterday, IFI member and rights defender Salvador Romano was killed in Negros. and just this morning, Lumad leader Datu Mario Agsab of Pigyayungaan was killed in Bukidnon," Abejo said.
He said these tactics benefit those who wish to keep the people silent against abuses, corruption and exploitation.
Abejo enjoined the religious communities and all those value human rights to stand against these dangerous acts and challenged those behind these posters to stop wasting "government funds" from taxpayer's money.
"If you have proof of us being communist supporters, show the evidence. Don't be cowards who keep posting these baseless lies. We also dare you to show your faces as you have so maliciously used our images in these posters," he added. (Alwen Saliring)