Key Points
- Journalist arrested in Negros Occidental over minor charge
- Media groups call the move intimidation linked to reporting
- Press freedom advocates urge authorities to drop the case
ISLAMABAD: Philippine media organisations on Thursday condemned the arrest of a provincial journalist in Negros Occidental, after police briefly detained broadcast reporter Erwin “Ambo” Delilan on a minor charge before releasing him on bail, warning the case could be used to intimidate journalists working outside major urban centres.
According to press freedom groups, broadcast journalist Erwin “Ambo” Delilan, station manager of local radio outlet 104.7 Hapi Radio and a contributor to national media, was arrested by police on a charge of unjust vexation. He was later released on bail.
Media groups said the offence cited against the journalist is minor and questioned the necessity of an arrest. They argued that the action appeared to be connected to Delilan’s reporting and public commentary, rather than a genuine concern for crime.
They said the timing and manner of the detention sent a troubling signal to journalists covering politics and governance at the local level.
In a joint statement, organisations including the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said arrests and legal cases are increasingly being used to pressure reporters, particularly in provincial areas where institutional support is limited.
They warned that such actions could deter journalists from pursuing critical stories.
Press advocates urged Philippine authorities to respect media freedom, drop what they described as questionable charges, and ensure that journalists can work without fear of harassment or arrest.
