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‘Our bias is for the truth,’ declares journalists who covered the 16-day standoff at the KOJC in Davao
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Dozens of Davao-based journalists have decried the maltreatment they experienced at the hands of followers of doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, when police were searching for him at the sprawling Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
The harassment occurred during the 16-day standoff at the KOJC compound, which began on August 24 and lasted until September 8, when Quiboloy emerged from hiding. Journalists, photographers, and radio reporters filed reports of the abuse in police blotters.
In a collective statement, journalists and various news organizations in Davao City declared, “Our bias is for the truth.”
At least 42 journalists and heads of local media organizations had signed the statement as of Tuesday, September 17.
They said they documented incidents when they were bullied, cajoled and “used by one party of the conflict to outsmart another.”
The journalists said they were harassed and threatened when their reports did not align with the group’s preferred version of events.
“It is not our role to carry your propaganda line or push your agenda,” read part of the strongly-worded statement, apparently directed at KOJC members, who insisted that their version of the story during the standoff be the only one reported by the media.
The journalists also criticized Councilor Bonz Militar, the chair of the Davao City Council’s committee on information and technology, for his behavior toward members of the mainstream media during the standoff.
“Councilor Bonz Militar, you are barking up the wrong tree. As chair of the Committee on Information and Technology, you know who the sources of disinformation are. Let us in the media do our job and if you truly care about the public good, it would do well for the City Council to help foster an environment where journalists can perform their duties without the constant threat of intimidation, harassment, or other forms of attacks,” the journalists said.
Despite the challenges, they said journalists covering the standoff remained committed to their ethical standards and journalistic principles.
“Our first obligation as journalists is to the truth, and our first loyalty is to the citizens,” they said.
The journalists also called on their colleagues to unite in confronting disinformation and to remain vigilant against efforts to manipulate the truth, stressing the importance of a free press in ensuring peace and stability in Davao City.
“We believe an unchained press is the bedrock of a peaceful and robust Davao City,” they said.
The signatories to the statement as of Tuesday, September 17, include the following:
- Carolyn O. Arguillas, special reports editor, MindaNews
- Amalia B. Cabusao, editor-in-chief, Mindanao Times
- Cristina E. Alivio, editor-in-chief, SunStar Davao
- Neil Bravo, editor-in-chief, Edge Davao
- Editha Z. Caduaya, publisher, Newsline Philippines
- Paul Palacio, news chief, Newsline Philippines
- Che Palicte, regional head, Philippine News Agency
- Vina Araneta-Pilapil, head, news operations and administration, PTV Davao/Mindanao Media Hub
- Bobby Timonera, editor-in-chief, MindaNews
- Ryan Rosauro, chief, Philippine Daily Inquirer Mindanao Bureau
- Hernel Tocmo, Davao regional correspondent, ABS-CBN News
- Germelina Lacorte, desk editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Joselle Badilla, editorial assistant, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Patmei Bello Ruivivar, columnist, Mindanao Times
- Kath Cortez, reporter, Davao Today
- Lucelle Bonzo, Davao Today
- Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan, Davao Today
- Danilo Adorador, board member, MIPC
- Eugene Dango, cameraman, Newsline Philippines
- Eugene Hinutan, reporter, Newsline Philippines
- Antonio L. Colina IV, reporter, MindaNews
- Manman Dejeto, photojournalist, MindaNews
- Ian Carl Espinosa, reporter, MindaNews
- Toto Lozano, photojournalist, MindaNews
- Tyrone A. Velez, columnist, MindaNews
- Rojean Grace Patumbon, reporter, SunStar Davao
- Karl Bryan Porras, reporter, SunStar Davao
- Rhoda Grace Saron, reporter, Mindanao Times
- Nova Mae Francas, reporter, Mindanao Times
- Maimona Wanda Lao, reporter, Mindanao Times
- Bing Gonzales, photojournalist, Mindanao Times
- Armando Fenequito, reporter, Radyo Pilipinas Davao
- Davao City Media-Citizen Council (DCMCC)
- Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC)
- National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP-Davao chapter)
- Darios P. Relatado, senior program manager, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao
- Danielle Danica Baguio, acting station manager, Bombo Radyo Davao
- Robinson Ninal Jr., photographer, Philippine News Agency-Mindanao
- Edith Regalado, reporter, Philippine Star
- Diana Lhyd Suelto, correspondent, Philippine Star
- Margarita Valle, columnist, Davao Today
- Manuel Cayon, Mindanao bureau chief, Business Mirror. – Rappler.com
