Press freedom in the Philippines may get side-swiped again on August 23 if authorities don’t act soon to avoid the possible release—on a technicality—of a policeman linked to the killing of a Mindanao radio broadcaster last June.
Wary of another "travesty of justice," local and international media groups asked government to keep custody of Police Officer 1 Dennis Lumikid, a suspect in the killing of Davao Oriental radio commentator Jesiderio “Jessie" Camangyan last June 14.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the protective custody on Lumikid ends August 23, which is two days before his case is to be raffled to a court that will handle it.
"We are afraid that, unless a way is found to legally or administratively continue the custody of Lumikid, he will be released before a warrant of arrest can be issued against him," the NUJP said in an open letter to Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
The NUJP letter, signed by vice chairman Nonoy Espina and media safety program executive coordinator Rowena Paraan, was posted on the NUJP website.
Citing information from its Davao City chapter, NUJP said a murder case has been filed before the Mati Regional Trial Court against Lumikid. It said witnesses had identified him as the gunman who shot Camangyan dead in Macopa village in Manay town.
"However, the case is scheduled to be raffled on August 25, or two days after the 90-day restrictive custody imposed on Lumikid by Senior Superintendent Perpetuo Macion, chief of the Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development of Region 11, expires," it said.
'Similar' Cuesta case
The NUJP cited a "bitter experience" after the 2008 murder of General Santos broadcaster Dennis Cuesta where police Inspector Redempto “Boy" Acharon, the accused killer of Cuesta, remains free in the city where the murder was committed.
This was despite a warrant of arrest against him and a long ignored order to transfer him to Camp Crame for preventive custody, NUJP said.
"(The bitter experience on Cuesta's case) has taught us that Lumikid’s release could very well lead into another travesty of justice," the NUJP said.
Similarly, it noted the killing of Marlene Esperat, where the accused masterminds continue to hold on to their high government positions amid the continued failure of authorities to successfully investigate and prosecute other media killings.
These cases have served to worsen the culture of impunity that has emboldened those who wish to silence the Philippine press, it said.
"Consistent with President Benigno Aquino III’s vow to end impunity and the killings that have claimed the lives of 140 Filipino media workers thus far since 1986 (Camangyan was the 138th), we appeal for your urgent action to ensure that Lumikid remains in custody until the case against the courts can formally assume jurisdiction and issue a warrant for his arrest," the NUJP told Verzosa and de Lima.
The two NUJP officials also noted, by way of coincidence, that the ninth-month commemoration of the infamous Ampatuan massacre in Maguindanao—the worst attack on media in a single day anywhere in the world—also falls on the same date August 23 when Lumikid’s protective custody expires.
The journalists’ union also sought a meeting with Verzosa and de Lima to discuss how it may cooperate not just in putting a stop to the bloodshed but in ensuring that all unsolved cases are properly investigated and prosecuted, "and the perpetrators, especially the masterminds, are brought to justice."
IFJ backs NUJP request
For its part, international media watchdog group International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) voiced similar fears that Lumikid may be freed before he could stand trial.
“We urge authorities to take action to ensure justice is served and to bring an end to the culture of impunity that has dominated the Philippines for too long," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said on the IFJ website.
IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries. “The IFJ fully supports the NUJP’s request that Lumikid not be released before facing trial for Camangyan’s murder," Park said.—JV
