While watching the orchestrated shooting at the Senate back in June, I only thought of one thing: the freedom of the press is compromised. Those in power are ever-desperate to control and feed the mass media with a coverage unworthy of people’s attention in an attempt to cover- up their atrocities and negligence — as in the Massacre in Toboso, Negros, the flood control scandal, the increasing prices of commodities and other economic issues. Members of the press face a constant threat should they unveil the stories from the ground.

The unabolished NTF-ELCAC plays a great role in controlling the flow and dissemination of information to the general public. They do not influence media networks that halt coverage of mass struggle but even worse than that, NTF-ELCAC is ready to name you a terrorist as in the red-tagging of Atom Araullo or to lock you in cell with some fabricated charges as in my detention that has robbed me and the rest of Tacloban 5 more than 6 years of our lives.

It is disturbing that the Philippines remain unsafe for journalists. No protection is guaranteed to the members of the press evident in the unresolved murder of a radio broadcaster in Eastern Samar almost 3 years ago. Scenes of scaring journalists with gun shots to halt their coverage continue to happen as in the case in Pastrana, Leyte a few years back. In schools, student publications continue to face threats of getting abolished or getting placed under the control of school administration.

But the media being repressed is the people in struggle. Amidst the ever-worsening repression, we are one of those for whom we write.

I salute all journalists who have taken the challenge of directing their lens to the unseen and unheard — despite having their shoes caked in mud, enduring the scorching heat of the sun, even taking long walks to reach far-flung areas and to top it all, despite knowing the state-funded threats.

I urge young journalists to never stop writing — our pens have once toppled down a dictatorship.

Locked behind bars, the political prisoners in CIW raise our fist in support of our struggle for press freedom. The women prisoners in the Philippines gained a lot of triumphs in terms of the treatment and services among detention facilities through the persistent and fearless broadcasts of the members of the press.

We are yet to win more freedom as we make history.
Defend Press Freedom!

Frenchie Mae Cumpio
August 29, 2026
Correctional Institution for Women

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