Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing concern on the reported denial of entry, intimidation, and surveillance of journalists during the 2025 Midterm Elections
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over multiple reports received through its Alisto! Alert Mechanism of members of the media being denied entry to polling precincts, despite possessing accredited IDs from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Some media workers have also reported experiencing intimidation and surveillance by unidentified individuals while covering the […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights denouncing the burning of a former press club president’s van
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the burning of a vehicle belonging to a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club in Sagay town, Camiguin. The incident occurred around 2:00 AM on 10 May 2025, when unidentified individuals set the van of Manuel Jaudian ablaze. The CHR received the report through […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights condemning the killing of journalist Juan ‘Johnny’ Dayang
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) vehemently condemns the brazen attack committed against veteran journalist Juan ‘Johnny’ Dayang, who was shot dead inside his home in Kalibo, Aklan on 29 April 2025. The victim was declared dead on arrival after being shot by an unidentified assailant. The gunman, who arrived on a motorcycle, stopped outside […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing concern on the recently released media guidelines on covering Malacañang-related stories
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over the new media accreditation guidelines released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on 28 April 2025. Although implementation has been pushed back after a meeting with the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) Inc., the CHR is hopeful that there will be a more thorough review of […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights condemning the attack against a broadcaster in Negros Occidental
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly condemns the brazen attempt on the life of a radio blocktimer whose home in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, was riddled with bullets on 20 April 2025. CHR Region VI has promptly launched a Quick Response Operation to take cognizance of the incident. According to reports, the victim awoke […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the cyber libel conviction of journalist Frank Cimatu, and Senate Bill No. 1593, decriminalizing libel
The Commission on Human Rights expresses its concern on how cyber libel has been recently used to suppress press freedom and threaten the right to free expression. The conviction of journalist Frank Cimatu for his social media post five years ago against then-Secretary of Agriculture Emmanuel Piñol is the most recent case of a pattern […]
Statement of Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana on the launching of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists
Threats to media safety and freedom are real and alarming. How these threats impact on the nation’s democracy is what makes them truly dangerous. It is high time to put at the center of discussions concrete ways on how we can secure a functioning and safe space for journalists to allow them to fully perform […]
Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the recent attack on Radyo ni Juan Station Manager
The recent attempt on the life of Radyo ni Juan Sation Manager is another incident in the growing trend of media harassment and violence. Benjie Caballero, who is also the current president of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Task Force on Media Security, was reportedly shot five times by two still unidentified assailants around 1:15 in […]