Local reporters harassed during 16-day coverage

Description

During the 16-day operation from August 24 to September 8, journalists experienced various forms of harassment from hostile KOJC members and their supporters.

On the first day of coverage, reporters Che Palicte, Bryll Montalvo, Cado Nial Jr., Germilina Lacorte, Jason Amisola, and Rgil Relator were stationed at the KOJC compound on Diversion Road, Buhangin. KOJC members filmed the reporters without permission and heckled them with accusations of being "paid hacks" and "biased."

Reporter Bryll Montalvo faced homophobic slurs but defended herself until police intervention was requested.

Sass Rogando Sasot, a DDS vlogger, accused mainstream media of being biased and complicit with the Marcos regime during her program on SONshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI), further fueling tensions.

On August 26, reporters Edith Caduaya, Ian C. Espinosa, Antonio Colina IV, Newsline cameraman Eugene Dango, PTV cinematographer Ramel Domingo, Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Germelina Lacorte, and Toto Lozano, were heckled and mobbed by KOJC members after Caduaya requested permission for three journalists to retrieve their vehicles beyond the police line. Although permission was granted, KOJC members attempted to join but were blocked by police personnel, leading to accusations of bias and harassment upon their return. During this incident, the media group faced verbal attacks, with one member's press card being snatched and a threatening crowd gathering.

PTV vehicle was also damaged after some KOJC members were hitting it while it was exiting the area.

Mobile journalist Marymon Reyes was also harassed while reporting live on August 24, with KOJC members accusing her of being one-sided.

The hostility continued during a press conference organized by KOJC legal counsel Atty Israelito Torroen. The press conference is about to finish when KOJC Executive Secretary Leonor Cardona, dismissed reporters' inquiries about the burning of tires during a protest, labeling them as biased and urging them to leave.

On August 28, Atty. Israelito Torreon confronted Marymon Reyes during their second press conference, insisting she guides them to a supposed secret tunnel. After a heated exchange, the situation calmed down when it was clarified that the information did not come from local journalists.

Information
Number of attacked persons or entities related to media
5
Do they work as freelance or media?
No
Position in media
Status of journalists
Gender
Other
Country
Region XI – Davao Region
Full name or name of group
Identified
The name of perpetrator (individual/group)
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members
Gender
Attack mention about gender background/sexual wording?
No
Date of incident
Type of incident
Physical Intimidation
Please type the data source here (text)
The information was shared to NUJP by a member.