“If we believe that murder is wrong and not admissible in our society, then it has to be wrong for everyone, not just individuals but governments as well.” –Sister Helen Prejean
Despite being in the United States, I hope I don’t “disappear” after writing a story critical of the Philippine government. Journalists around the world have been expressing similar concerns after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared (and is believed to be murdered) after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey last October 2. His mysterious disappearance has spawned an international diplomatic crisis and is currently a top story across global media.
Khashoggi wrote extensively about Saudi Arabia for The Washington Post, where he criticized the war against Yemen, the recent diplomatic spat with Canada, and the arrest of activists after women in the country were permitted to drive.
Those policies are all seen as initiatives of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Like the Saudi journalist, visits to the Philippine consulate are made to interview officials or cover special events. At times, the subsequent stories written call the government’s attention to reported malpractice and suspected acts of graft and corruption.
Turkish officials believe a Saudi hit team killed and dismembered Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the crown prince. In response, the kingdom called such allegations “baseless,” but has yet to offer any evidence Khashoggi ever left the consulate.
I have written several articles critical of extrajudicial killings committed in the Philippines; however, they have not specifically targeted any person linked to President Rodrigo Duterte, who is known to be sensitive to criticism, especially those who report on extrajudicial killings involving drug suspects and users, particularly those living in the slums.
Based on a joint report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and the Philippine Press Institute, there have been 85 reported attacks on journalists since Duterte took office in June 2016. The report highlighted nine killings; 16 libel cases; 14 cases of online harassment; 11 death threats; six assassination attempts; six harassment cases; five cases of intimidation; four website attacks; along with revoked registration and franchise renewal, verbal abuse, shootings, and surveillance of journalists and media outlets by law enforcement.
During a World Press Freedom Day forum last May, PCIJ Executive Director Malous Mangahas said, “[The number] far exceeds those recorded under four presidents before him – separately and together, these 85 cases have made the practice of journalism an even more dangerous endeavor under Duterte.”
The nine killings that took place under Duterte’s watch are higher than those recorded within the first 22 months of previous presidential administrations; under Benigno S. Aquino III, there were nine. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – five; Fidel V. Ramos – five, and Joseph Estrada – three. Despite the president’s allergy to criticism and his tendency to not mince words when issuing threats against reporters, he likely would not begin violently muzzling journalists, like me, who intend to help the government and not destroy the president’s reputation.
Journalists are the president’s partners in nation-building, not enemies trying to topple the administration.
May Khashoggi’s case be investigated thoroughly and the perpetrators in his disappearance be brought to court and that his family recover his body dead or alive./WDJ