Philippines: Women Press Freedom Condemns Unjust Arrest of Josie Serseña
Seasoned journalist released after bail submission by her publisher
Location: Philippines, Ormoc
Date: July 5, 2024
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of veteran journalist Josie Serseña, who was detained for not attending a court hearing as a witness in an anti-drug operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). While Serseña was released later that evening, her arrest highlights the undue burden placed on journalists in the Philippines, who are increasingly forced to participate in law enforcement activities as witnesses—a practice long criticized by press freedom advocates. Not appearing as a witness is not a crime, and Serseña’s arrest reflects the unjust treatment of the press in the country. Women Press Freedom calls for a transparent investigation into Serseña’s arrest and an immediate end to the cynical practice of targeting journalists simply for performing their duties and reporting the news.
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Josie Serseña, a radio broadcaster and reporter for the Eastern Visayas Mail, was arrested at her home on July 5, 2024 in Barangay Kagao-han after a bench warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 12 in Ormoc.
The warrant was based on a motion filed by prosecutor Erwin Fabriga, stemming from Serseña’s role as a witness in a PDEA buy-bust operation in April 2022. Despite having testified in the case, Serseña stated that she did not receive any summons regarding the hearing scheduled for June 27, 2024, and that she was not informed by the PDEA lawyer. Nonetheless, she was served an arrest warrant.
Serseña was told by court personnel that the summons had been sent to her on June 13. Upon being taken into custody, the police subjected her to the indignity of having her mugshots and fingerprints taken and insisted that she remove all her clothes for a medical examination. After enduring 10 hours in detention, Serseña was released after her employer posted bail.
Serseña’s case is far from isolated. Journalists in the Philippines have faced systematic harassment and mistreatment at the hands of authorities, particularly those who report on sensitive issues such as drug related crime. One of the most notable examples of press freedom violations in the country is the case of Maria Ressa, the co-founder of Rappler, who has faced numerous legal challenges, including a shutdown order against her news outlet. Although a court recently reversed the shutdown order in a significant victory for press freedom, Ressa and Rappler continue to battle arbitrary charges.
The Philippines is currently ranked 134th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index, a testament to the severe press freedom violations that have persisted, particularly under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Despite the end of Duterte’s tyrannical rule, the situation for independent media in the country remains precarious. His successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., must take concrete steps to reverse the damage inflicted on the press and safeguard the rights of journalists.
The unjust treatment of Josie Serseña serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in the Philippines, who are often harassed and intimidated for simply doing their jobs. In a democratic society, journalists must be able to perform their duties without fear of persecution or retribution. Women Press Freedom calls on the Philippine authorities to cease the practice of involving journalists in law enforcement operations and to respect their safety and independence. The judiciary must also ensure that the rights of journalists are upheld in all legal proceedings.
WPF celebrates this landmark decision, while urging the Philippine government to uphold press freedom, drop all pending cases against Rappler and Maria Ressa, and allow independent media to operate without fear of persecution.
WPF strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of journalist Josie Serseña, who was detained for not attending a court hearing as a witness in an anti-drug operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
WPF stands resolutely against the harrowing threats and acts of violence directed at journalists Joann Manabat and Rowena Quejada in Angeles City, Philippines, on March 12, 2024.
CFWIJ and WPF celebrates the recent triumph in the legal battle of Nobel laureate Maria Ressa in the Philippines.
Philippine court ruling clears Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa of the last tax evasion charge levied against her and the outlet.
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Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist Maria Ressa’s independent online news portal Rappler has been ordered shut by the Philippines Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) yet again.
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Chiara Zambrano from ABS-CBN, and her news team were on an assignment in the west Philippines sea close to Palawan province. The journalist was investigating where Filipino fishermen relocated after losing their former fishing grounds to Chinese vessels. The news team was headed towards a reef surface to interview Philippine military detachments who presumably provide security to fishermen anchored there. On their way to Ayungin Shoal, the Filipino crew spotted a Chinese coast guard ship and received a radio message to identify themselves. The boat operator could not respond as the message was in English, and he did not understand. Moments later, the Filipino vessel carrying Chiara Zambrano and her news team was chased by two missile-equipped Chinese boats until they returned to Palawan region. CFWIJ is concerned by this drastic and unjustified threat to Chiara Zambrano and her team.
Inday Espina-Varona, a senior contributing editor for ABS-CBN, has faced persistent harassment and threats. She says the hostile environment towards journalists has worsened since President Duterte took office in 2016. Inday has been targeted online by slurs, hurtful comments and accusations of providing sensitive information to rebel groups. The journalist admitted she lives in constant fear given the precarious position of press freedom in the country. CFWIJ condemns the harassment towards Inday and asks President Duterte to end the crackdown on critical voices.
Rappler CEO & Executive Editor, Maria Ressa, was once again summoned to court. In the latest legal challenge, Maria faces charges of tax evasion. The prosecutor believes Rapplers' parent company owed sales taxes, given their alleged dealings in financial securities. These accusations are the latest in the slew of baseless claims filed against the journalist. CFWIJ condemns the relentless legal harassment of Maria Ressa and demands the Filipino government end the unjustified torment against her.
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Maria Ressa was charged in yet another cyber libel case for her role as an executive editor of Rappler— a position she vacated in June of 2020. The libel suit was filed in response to an article titled, “ Thesis for sale at the De La Salle - College of St. Benilde.” The piece alleges Ariel Pineda, a professor at St. Benilde college, of accepting PHP20,000 bribe from students to clear their theses. Rambo Talabong, the Rappler reporter who wrote the article, is also named in the same libel suit.
Rappler founder Maria Ressa faces the third charge of cyber libel. According to her lawyer Ted Te, the third cyber libel complaint came after the story aired in October 2020 about De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila students paid P20,000 to pass their thesis. The complaint was filed by Benilde’s lecturer Ariel Pineda who was at the top of the scene. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns all charges against Maria and reiterates the Duterte regime once again that journalism is not a crime.
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Filipino journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio has been arrested along with four human rights activists on February 6. She was taken into custody during simultaneous raids across the Tacloban city targeting journalists and human rights activists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Frenchimae’s arrest and demand authorities to release her immediately.
Second hearing for one of the most prominent Filipino journalists and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s cyber libel case took place today.
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Following her arrest yesterday over the already disproven “cyber libel” charges, Maria Ressa got released today with bail by Manila RTC Branch 46 after paying P100,000 (Approx. 2000 USD). The court issued the release order after her bail was posted past noon. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns The Philippines government’s attempts to stifle dissent and criticism with groundless accusations against journalists.
We condemn the arrest of our colleague Maria Ressa, who was taken into custody over already disproved “cyber libel”. The Philippine’s government’s attempts to stifle dissent and criticism must come to an end.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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