When journalists confront power to advance social change without fear or favor, the press fulfills its duty to the people. But when power moves against journalists to advance its self-serving interests, the press is oppressed, and the people are defeated — especially when these powers remain unchecked.

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The Philippines is no stranger to dangerous conditions that undermine press freedom. In 2026, the country ranked 114th out of 180 nations in the World Press Freedom Index, with emphasis on killings, weaponization of the law and harassment toward journalists. The country has also spent the last years in the impunity index of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), underscoring that media killings often go unresolved.

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A prominent example is the Maguindanao Massacre in 2009 where 32 journalists and media workers were killed by the Ampatuan dynasty. While the family and many suspects were convicted in 2019, dozens of accused remain at large. Justice has also remained elusive for photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay who was not recognized as the 58th victim because his body has not been found.

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Furthermore, one of the considered emblematic cases of impunity against journalists in the world by CPJ is the killing of Palawan-based journalist Gerry Ortega in 2011 for reporting on government corruption in the province. Fifteen years later, the alleged mastermind of his murder, former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, remains at large despite an arrest warrant against him.

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The Maguindanao Massacre and Ortega’s case reflect a clear pattern of state impunity against journalists in the country, and these conditions are well-substantiated by the attacks this year alone.

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On Jan. 22, Tacloban City community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was convicted of terrorism financing by the Tacloban Regional Trial Court Branch 45 and was sentenced to at least 12 years in prison. But even before this ruling, Cumpio had been in jail for more than six years without any trial. She has since then filed an appeal before the Court of Appeals to reverse the ruling.

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On Feb. 6, the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division called out Philstar.com reporter Cristina Chi for allegedly mirroring “disinformation lines” of “extremist and front organizations” by using narratives of “terrorist-aligned groups.” The statement stemmed from Chi’s report on the return to the US of Fil-Am activist Chantal Anicoche after being in military custody, which the Army claimed was a misleading assertion.

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In the same month, on Feb. 26, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and its contributor Regine Cabato faced what seemed to be a coordinated online attack on their credibility. This backlash came from the Chinese Embassy and various social media accounts that were supportive of it, following PCIJ’s release of a video explainer on pro-China disinformation.

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The next month, March 11, DZRH reporter Misael Boy Gonzales Jr. was arrested for allegedly violating data privacy in reporting on a criminal case of Manila Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr. reportedly about lascivious conduct under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

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On the same day, Roxas City journalist India Lavapiez was arrested for cyber libel cases filed by Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon of the town of Sigma in Capiz.

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In the same month, India and her husband Jay Lavapiez, both anchors of Baskog Radio, also faced separate cyber libel cases filed by Eslabon’s son, Councilor Dan Justin Eslabon, and political ally Cindy Francisco. This is after the Lavapiezes reported on local corruption and irregularities concerning a cemetery and traffic enforcement.

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On April 19, during a military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental, AlterMidya reporter and community journalist RJ Ledesma was killed by the military while reporting on the impact of renewable energy projects in nearby communities.

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Another killing occurred on May 21, when Cotabato-based journalist Nestor Micator was shot in front of a barangay hall by an unidentified gunman. He was the anchor and commentator of D’Empire Radio.

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On June 4, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta publicly accused journalists of being “paid hacks” for allegedly failing to report on the Senate majority’s attempt to cancel a hearing related to the flood control corruption scandal. He later said he did not mean his remark.

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In the same month, on June 22, Jay Lavapiez survived an assassination attempt on his life. The mastermind is yet to be identified.

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The next month, on July 15, Jay and his wife India Lavapiez once again faced an arrest warrant for estafa complaints filed by a certain Manuel Silva Perez without their prior knowledge of the charges and the warrant.

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Two days later, on July 17, Marchel Espina, former editor-in-chief of SunStar Cebu, voluntarily surrendered in Bacolod City over an unjust vexation complaint filed by a local leader of Iglesia Ni Cristo regarding an opinion piece written for the publication in 2024.

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On July 22, Bulatlat contributor Jian Sanz was arrested and briefly detained by police officers for covering a protest near the ASEAN Summit in Pasay City. At the same time, the police prohibited photo coverage and aggressively harassed veteran photojournalists Bullit Marquez and Rene Dilan while covering the same event.

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Capping off July, Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the media for framing her and former President Rodrigo Duterte in a bad light. She claimed that the Philippine media fails to adhere to international reporting standards, and added that social media is an alternative platform where the “truth” can be accessed by the public without relying on traditional media.

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Days later, on Aug. 7, India Lavapiez faced an arrest warrant anew for unjust vexation charges filed by the son of a local politician.

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Then on Oct. 5, impeachment defense attorney Mark Vinluan made a veiled threat by insinuating that the media can be held criminally liable for violating bank secrecy by reporting on suspicious transactions of public officials through disclosed records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council. He is representing Vice President Sara Duterte in her trial and led the cross-examination on the unexplained wealth complaint.

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A week later, on Oct. 12, Albay journalist Adrian “Golden Boy” Loterte, anchor of local news outfit RBN News Television, was killed in his business spot in Albay by two unidentified gunmen.

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Seven days afterwards, on Oct. 19, Bulatlat reporter Aaron Ernest Cruz was aggressively manhandled by multiple police officers while covering a farmers’ protest in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform despite showing his media ID.

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In the same week, attacks intensified when GMA journalists Mel Tianco, Vicky Morales, Emil Sumangil, and Darlene Cay faced a libel and cyber libel complaint filed by Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Oct. 23. This is after a report aired on 24 Oras about bribery claims made by former cop Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. against him and Vice President Sara Duterte.

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This was followed on Oct. 24 when veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. was arrested because of a cyber libel case filed by Mans Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte. Lustre said he was not aware of any charge against him prior to the arrest. He was later released after posting bail of nearly P50,000.

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These attacks are real and serious threats to the freedom of journalists to hold power accountable, especially when the majority of the perpetrators are local politicians and law enforcement bodies. They have no space whatsoever to exist in a democratic country, but the abuses are becoming more intense against Filipino journalists over time, worsening the already existing culture of impunity that allows these attacks to be made.

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More than condemnation, this systemic oppression against the press needs to be halted through collective action.

Defend press freedom!

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#DefendPressFreedom

#HandsOffJournalists

#EndImpunity

#InternationalDayOfImpunityAgainstJournalists