The members of the working press belonging to Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Incorporated, would like to call on those people behind dubious facebook account Phil Leaks to spare Julie Alipala from their tirades and respect the work of the journalist.
As Mindanaoans, we work in a hostile environment, but free from influence of anyone except our common quest for peace and justice. It is under this circumstance that we cannot compromise our stories, nor misrepresent our sources as we strive to deliver what is fair and balance news.
No amount of money can compensate the life of a journalist and we know what is at stake in every story that we offer our readers/viewers.
Calling a Mindanaoan journalist as member of a terrorist organization and a paid hack is a total disregard of the principles we uphold in this profession, which further maligns Alipala’s integrity as a journalist.
When she reported about the claims of the family that their siblings were killed by the military, she was then writing a narrative by the aggrieved families. IT IS NOT HER OWN STORY. It was the claim of the family. But, nameless and faceless crusaders for unknown cause, branded her as terrorist, paid hack, named names and even threatened that she be physically and sexually assaulted.
The MIPC strongly believes, that such statement and act are more barbaric and a blatant display of cowardice, as her accusers are hiding in a vicious disguise while exploiting the influence of social media.
Hence, we call on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Cybercrime division to look into this circumstance and make the necessary action to investigate and put to stop this cowardly act. We also call on the Task Force for Media Freedom and Responsibility to work hand in hand with the above-mentioned agencies and put a stop to this kind of activities on social media.
To the representative of Facebook in the Philippines, we urge you to verify facebook accounts which are being used as propaganda apparatus that causes harm and wanton disregard to human rights.
We believe that in a democratic society like ours, freedom of expression is very much alive; hence, no one should exploit it at the expense of other’s life and security.
