The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday strongly condemned the burning of a vehicle belonging to a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club in Sagay town, Camiguin.
“The CHR urges law enforcement authorities to pursue a thorough investigation and ensure the safety and protection of journalists, especially in local communities,” the CHR said in a statement.
Through its Alisto! Alert Mechanism, the Commission received a report that unidentified individuals torched van of Manuel Jaudian in the wee hours of May 10.
The CHR has launched an independent investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
“As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the Commission firmly condemns all acts of violence against journalists. Such attacks undermine press freedom and weaken the very pillars of free expression and open discourse,” the statement read.
The Commission recognized that a free and independent press is vital to a healthy democracy, it added.
“Any act of intimidation against members of the media threatens this foundation and must be met with urgent and decisive action,” it stressed.