Media organizations condemned unjust vexation charges against journalist Marchel Espina and four others filed by a minister of a controversial religious sect in the Philippines.
A court in Batangas City, south of Manila, ordered the arrest of Espina and the four other respondents over a 2024 opinion article, which appeared in SunStar Cebu.
The commentary piece was contributed and published while she was editor in chief of SunStar Cebu.
On July 17, Espina voluntarily surrendered and said that she intends “to answer the allegations through the proper judicial channels.”
According to a report by Rappler, a certain Pedro Fajot Castillo of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), filed the complaint and accused the respondents of causing him annoyance, irritation, torment, distress, and disturbance.
Espina said the complaint raised broader concerns about the use of the legal system against media workers. “I also believe it has a chilling effect on press freedom,” she said.
“Journalists and editors should never be intimidated or silenced for carrying out their professional duties in good faith. While every person has the right to seek legal remedies, the legal process should never be used to discourage independent journalism and reporting in the public interest,” Espina said.
She said she remained committed to responsible journalism and upholding press freedom.
Altermidya Network said the case reflected a wider pattern of criminal complaints and other legal actions that burden journalists with costly and prolonged court proceedings.
“Disagreement with published content should never become a justification for weaponizing criminal laws against members of the press,” Altermidya said.
The network said community journalists outside major media centers face legal harassment, red-tagging, surveillance, threats, online attacks and violence for reporting on corruption, human rights violations, environmental destruction and other issues affecting marginalized communities.
It also cited the prolonged detention and prosecution of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who faces terrorism financing charges that she and press freedom advocates maintain are baseless.
“Regardless of their eventual outcome, these cases drain already limited resources, disrupt journalistic work, and serve as a warning to others who dare to scrutinize those in power,” Altermidya said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the charges were intended to intimidate Espina and the wider media community.
“The filing of charges against Espina is clearly meant to intimidate her and the media community,” the NUJP said in a July 17 statement.
The union said leaders of the religious group had previously filed complaints against journalists who expressed critical views about its ties with an influential political dynasty.
“Any group or individual engaging in obvious political activities should not be onion-skinned when subjected to public scrutiny,” the NUJP said.
“Journalists report on matters of public interest, including supposed religious activities in support of certain politicians,” it added.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines in the Negros Island Region also condemned the case and described it as part of a series of attacks against journalists in the region.
The guild said Espina had received no summons or notice before the warrant was issued.
“Having received no summons or notice, she was deprived of the opportunity to file a counter-affidavit and defend herself before the court,” CEGP-Negros said.
The group said journalists in Negros face criminal complaints, intimidation and violence.
It cited the killing of a 49-year-old radio broadcaster from 88.3 DNN News FM in La Castellana and the death of community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma, editor of Paghimutad and one of the victims of the Toboso 19 massacre.
The guild also cited an unjust vexation complaint filed against journalist Ambo Delilan.
“These incidents expose a worsening climate for press freedom in the region—one where journalists are threatened not only by bullets but also by the misuse of the legal system,” CEGP-Negros said.
The groups called for the dismissal of the charges against Espina.
