By Clarist Zablan
(March 13, 2024) – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an inquiry into threats against two journalists who had covered a violent demolition in Pampanga.
The government’s human rights body on Wednesday said its Central Luzon office has dispatched a quick response operation to investigate separate reports of threats and intimidation against K5 News Olongapo reporter Rowena Quejada and Rappler reporter Joann Manabat.
“As an independent human rights institution, the Commission actively condemns all acts of violence against journalists as these negatively impact the situation of press freedom of the country and may lead the Philippine democracy towards decay,” the CHR said in a statement.
“We hope that this incident serves as a reminder for all relevant government and law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures in ensuring a safe environment for all Filipino journalists.”
Earlier, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said members of the demolition team of Clarkhills Properties Corporation had reportedly pointed a gun at Quejada, demanding that she stop taking videos of the demolition in Sitio Balubad in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City.
The armed men also allegedly took her belongings and hurled profanities, calling the media the “devil” for reporting about the land dispute in the city, the group said.
The incident prompted Quejada to hide inside the home of a Japanese national who extended help until tensions subsided, NUJP said. She was previously reported missing around that time.
The armed men had also threatened to shoot Manabat while she was covering the demolition, Rappler reported on Tuesday.
Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. condemned the reports of intimidation against the two journalists, stressing that he will not condone any threats against the press.
He also expressed plans to press charges against the armed men involved in the demolition incident, which the local government said injured six residents at Sitio Balubad.
The 73-hectare land in Sitio Balubad has been subject to an agrarian dispute. Clarkhills has claimed ownership over the land after the agrarian reform department canceled the certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAs) held by the residents.
The Angeles City government has said it will expropriate the piece of land to resolve the dispute.
(MM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.