Altermidya Network strongly condemns the arrest of journalists from Altermidya Network, Southern Tagalog Exposure, The Staple, and UPLB Perspective during police operations against protesters at Sucat People’s Park in Muntinlupa City on November 15, the first day of the 49th ASEAN Summit.
The journalists were arrested during police operations against the Lakbayan ng Timog Katagalugan delegation. They were reportedly brought to the Sucat barangay hall. According to reports from the ground, at least 17 members of the delegation have been arrested.
In Manila, an Altermidya news producer and safety officer was harassed and manhandled at Liwasang Bonifacio. Police also attempted to arrest two staff members of Tinig ng Plaridel, the official student publication of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Media and Communication, while they were documenting the violent apprehension of a protester. These incidents raise serious concerns about the safety of journalists covering public demonstrations and the conduct of police operations during the ASEAN Summit.
Altermidya is particularly alarmed that these incidents are taking place as the Philippine government hosts regional and international leaders for the ASEAN Summit.
The government cannot claim to uphold democratic freedoms before the international community while police forces suppress public demonstrations and interfere with journalists documenting events on the ground. Security preparations for an international gathering do not suspend constitutional rights. Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and press freedom must be respected, including when citizens express opposition to government policies and international agreements.
The protesters have raised concerns over the US-led Pax Silica initiative, the visit of US President Donald Trump, and policies they believe threaten Philippine sovereignty and the rights and livelihoods of Filipino communities. These concerns are matters of public interest that journalists have every right to cover.
Altermidya demands the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested journalists and all other protesters detained during today’s police operations. We demand that the Philippine National Police disclose the whereabouts and legal status of all those arrested, guarantee their safety, and ensure their immediate access to legal counsel.
We also demand an independent investigation into the arrests, the harassment and manhandling of media workers, the attempted arrests of campus journalists, and other reported acts of police violence against journalists and protesters. Police personnel found responsible for unlawful actions must be held accountable.
We call on media organizations, campus publications, press freedom advocates, and human rights groups to stand with our arrested and harassed colleagues and defend the public’s right to know.#
