MANILA, Philippines – Nabahala ang Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) sa isinampang unjust vexation laban kay Bacolod-based journalist Marchel Espina, dating editor-in-chief ng SunStar Cebu, kaugnay sa isang lathalain na inilimbag sa naturang community newspaper noong Disyembre 2024.
Boluntaryong sumuko si Espina sa Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Island Region Field Unit at nagpiyansa ng P6,000 sa Regional Trial Court (RTC) noong Biyernes, Hulyo 17.
“The Task Force stands with Espina and the four other individuals who were charged, as well as with other media organizations, press associations, independent journalists, news outlets, and other members of the press who expressed concern over this incident,” saad sa pahayag ng PTFoMS nitong Sabado.
Ang reklamo ay inihain ng district supervising minister ng isang religious group at sinabing ang naturang opinion ay nagdulot sa kanya ng pagkairita, pagkagulo ng isip, at pagkabagabag.
Inisyu ang warrant of arrest ng Batangas City Regional Trial Court Branch 1 noong Hulyo 13.
“While it is within a person’s right to pursue legal remedies, laws must never be weaponized to suppress journalists from performing their professional duties as truth-tellers and reporting on matters of public concern,” sinabi ng PTFOMS.
Dagdag pa na, “(t)he exercise of legal rights must be balanced with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” at ipinuntong “no journalist should be subjected to actions that threaten their independence and safety.”
“We will monitor developments in this case and ensure that any action affecting members of the media is addressed with respect for press freedom and the rule of law,” ayon pa sa PTFOMS.
Ani Espina, na nagsilbi ring consultant ng global media development program WAN-IFRA Women in News, na siya ay boluntaryong sumuko dahil nirerespeto niya ang batas at legal na proseso.
“I intend to answer the allegations through the proper judicial channels,” sinabi nito.
Matapos makapagpiyansa para sa kanyang pansamantalang kalayaan ay batid ni Espina na “the next stage will be much more challenging since the arraignment and the hearings will be conducted in Batangas.”
“As a journalist, I believe this case raises important concerns about the use of criminal complaints against journalists and editors in relation to their work. I also believe it has a chilling effect on press freedom,” sinabi pa nito.
Si Espina ang ikalawang Bacolod-based journalist na sinampahan at inisyuhan ng warrant of arrest sa kaparehong reklamo ngayong taon.
Matatandaan na inaresto si Rappler contributor at Hapi FM radio announcer Erwin Delilan noong Enero at Pebrero dahil sa reklamong unjust vexation.
Ang mga reklamo ay inihain ng dalawang opisyal ng Negros Occidental matapos nitong batikusin sa pamamagitan ng satirical poem na inilathala sa Facebook na patungkol sa aksyon ng provincial government sa paghagupit ng Bagyong Tino noong Nobyembre 2025. RNT/JGC
