Labor center commends the filing of ‘writ of amparo’ by journalists arrested in the ‘Manila Pen Siege’

THE Labor Center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today commended several members of media who have sought the intervention of the Supreme Court over the arrests that were made against them during the so called “Manila Peninsula Siege”. 

KMU Spokesperson Prestoline Suyat said that the collective decision of the media people to file a 35-page petition for a writ of amparo and/or writ of prohibition deserves admiration and recognition from a nation which values “press freedom”  and resists wanton abuse of power and authority. 

“ To resist and condemn the illegal arrests done by the police is something noteworthy and deserving of our admiration but to file a writ of amparo to protect not only their own interests but the well-being of all  those in the media profession and to check the abuses of the state is exemplary. It takes a lot of courage to confront that powers-that-be today when our countrymen who exercise their basic democratic rights are called terrorists and are threatened with the full might of the law or the so called rule of law,” Suyat said.

 Suyat also urged other members of media to follow the bravery displayed by the 11 journalists of  the giant network station and  file cases against the police  and government officials who are  known for their viciousness and sheer  arrogance in the so called performance of their duties.  

“ At the time when all the sectors of our society are victims of the abuses of the government, it is only proper that we should support and assist each other as we had done during the dark days of martial law. We must unite to fight all forms of dictatorship and to be bolder in upholding the truth,” Suyat opined. ###