Altermidya Network condemns the reported harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and threats against Southern Tagalog Exposure (STEX) media worker Marky Casaquite and youth leader Brent Sumague while documenting the situation of Indigenous Molbog communities in Balabac, Palawan.
STEX is a member-outfit of Altermidya Network, a national network of independent and alternative media organizations.
Community members have reported the continued presence of state agents who they say are conducting surveillance of the two and their activities. Given the reported threats and continuing surveillance, we call on authorities to take immediate steps to ensure their safety and prevent further harassment, intimidation, or harm.
According to an alert issued by STEX, Casaquite and Sumague went to Barangay Catagupan to conduct interviews and consultations on the reported impacts of an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement site and Super El Niño on Molbog communities.
STEX reported that on Oct. 8 at around 11:40 a.m., while the two were conducting a focus group discussion and consultation with members of the community, at least 15 uniformed and plainclothes personnel identified as belonging to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police arrived and sought to stop the activity.
The group said personnel showed photographs of Casaquite and Sumague and brought them to Barangay Catagupan for questioning.
STEX also reported that Sumague was threatened by two personnel allegedly belonging to the AFP Western Command, who told him, “hahanap at hahanap kami ng butas sa inyo” and “uubusin namin kayo.”
The group further said a man identified as Xyron Aliño showed videos of Sumague and threatened the two, saying, “pag nakita ko kayong bumalik dito, ibabaon ko na kayo dito nang buhay.”
These reported threats are grave and unacceptable. No journalist or media worker should face intimidation, surveillance, or threats to life for documenting the conditions of communities and reporting matters of public interest.
Casaquite is in Balabac as part of STEX’s documentary work on the effects of Super El Niño on Indigenous Peoples, fisherfolk and farmers in Southern Tagalog communities. Reporting on the concerns of Indigenous communities, including questions involving ancestral land, livelihoods and government projects, is legitimate journalistic work and must not be treated as a security threat.
The reported intimidation of Molbog community members is equally alarming. Communities must be free to speak to journalists, raise grievances and express their views without fear of retaliation, surveillance or harassment.
Altermidya Network calls on the AFP Western Command, Philippine Navy and PNP Balabac to immediately cease any form of harassment, intimidation or surveillance directed at Casaquite, Sumague, STEX and the Molbog residents who spoke with them.
We demand an immediate and transparent investigation into the reported threats and continuing surveillance, including the statements attributed to security personnel and the individual identified in the STEX alert. Those responsible for any unlawful threat, intimidation, or surveillance must be held accountable.
Government authorities must guarantee the immediate safety of Casaquite and Sumague, ensure their freedom of movement, and protect their right to continue their work without interference. The safety and rights of the Molbog community members who spoke with them must likewise be protected.
Community journalists perform a vital public service by bringing to light stories that are often ignored, especially those involving Indigenous Peoples and communities far from centers of political and economic power. Attempts to frighten journalists away from these communities deprive the public of information and silence people who are already struggling to be heard.
The right to gather information, interview communities, and report on issues of public concern must be protected.
