The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it has started investigating allegations of police threats and harassment committed against members of the media during the coverage of operations to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.
“In line with our mandate to safeguard human rights, including the rights of media workers, the CHR has initiated an independent investigation to uncover the facts surrounding these incidents,” the CHR said in a statement issued on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
The police operations to arrest Quiboloy started last Aug. 24 and ended last Sept. 8 with the surrender of the KOJC founder who has been charged in court with non-bailable qualified human trafficking and child abuse in connection with the 2011 alleged sexual offense committed against a 17-year-old girl.
Citing a statement from the Davao City Chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the CHR said that “journalists who covered the police operations ‘experienced being bullied or cajoled and used by one party in the conflict to outsmart another.’”
“These incidents were then documented, some for the purpose of filing police blotter,” it said.
The commission reminded that “the media, as the Fourth Estate, plays a vital role in ensuring check and balance of those in power.”
“As we continue to demand truthful information, we must also foster an environment where our guardians of truth can operate without fear or hindrance,” it pointed out.
At the same time, the CHR urged members of the media “to report any instances of intimidation, harassment, or threats to the CHR through our Alisto! Alert Mechanism.”
“Creating a safe environment for journalists is essential to maintaining an informed and secure society. When media freedom is compromised, the very foundation of our democracy—where citizens rely on fact-based information to exercise their rights—is at risk,” it said.
“The CHR stands resolute in its position that no media worker should face threats, harassment, or intimidation in the course of their duties. It is their responsibility to report the truth, and it is our responsibility to protect their rights and ensure that they can work without fear,” it added.