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NUJP demands explanation from GMA, AFP on “enemies” slur

[This column accommodates the statement of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Arthur Allad-iw will resume his column next week.]

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an organization of practicing journalists nationwide, recently got hold of a copy of a Power point presentation of a military briefing titled “Knowing The Enemy.” That presentation listed down many legal organizations that allegedly help the forces that seek to overthrow the government.

The NUJP actually got word of the briefing campaign ­conducted by intelligence officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines ­ (AFP) last December, from people who had sat through those briefings. It would be laughable, if not for the fact that several of the suspected killers of journalists come from state security forces.

We demand answers from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who claims to be a friend of press freedom, and AFP Chief of Staff General Abu. Does “Knowing The Enemy” represent official government policy? If so, why is the NUJP tagged as an “enemy” when it has been working closely with law enforcement agencies to solve the murders of journalists in the country?

If it is not official policy, then we demand that the President and the AFP Chief of Staff give a categorical statement, investigate the authors of the briefing kit, order a stop to the smear campaign, and educate them on the basic concepts of democracy.

For any inquiry, please contact Inday Espina-Varona (NUJP chairman, cell phone no. 09167512522) or Carlos Conde (NUJP secretary-general, cell phone no. 09189425492)

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The Baguio- Benguet Chapter is supporting the NUJP national signature campaign as an expression of opposition to the government-proposed anti-terrorism bills (ATB).

The proposed bills, which Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo certified as an urgent legislative measure, assaults democracy. The ATB underscores the perils faced by democracy from its purported saviors. It seeks to “protect” Filipinos from the scourge of terrorism by stripping us of our constitutional rights: specifically, freedom of the press and of expression.

We encourage media practitioners, workers and campus journalists to join us and register your opposition to the anti-terror bills. To sign the petition, please visit www.nujp.org/atbpetition.htm. You can sign as an individual or better as an organization if you have any. For inquiry, email nujp-bb@yahoo.com or text 09202442202 or call 442-4175. #

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