News update Army vows help for mediamen

The Philippines Army has expressed full support for press freedom, even as it vowed to help protect members of the media while it also condemned the recent spate of attacks against journalists. The Army's 10th Infantry Division (10th ID) based in Davao also vowed to defend human rights, particularly farmers in far flung villages and the poor in urban areas, who despite their situation, are not spared in atrocities being committed by the New People's Army (NPA). The 10th ID, in a statement, extended its sympathy to the families of two local journalists in Davao region who are among the latest victims of media killings.

According to the military, "the murder of Nestor Bedolido in Davao del Sur and Desiderio Camangyan in Davao Oriental for whatever reason is senseless and not only an attack against press freedom but against the dignity of man and whoever responsible must face the full force of the law." "We sympathize and offer our condolences to the family of Nestor Bedolido and Desiderio Camangyan and the countless victims of killings as we pray for the just resolution of the many cases of murders particularly those so designed by organized lawless armed groups like the New People's Army (NPA) under the absolute order of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to compel hapless civilians to cower in fear and blindly bow to their rabid influence," the military said.