Case filed vs Bacolod journalist alarms Palace media task force

PRESS FREEDOM UNDER FIRE Former SunStar editor in chief Marchel Espina (right) and her lawyer, Abegail Bayona (center), listen as a police officer reads Espina her Miranda rights when she surrendered at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Island Region office in Bacolod City on Friday. Espina later posted bail in an unjust vexation case. —Carla P. Gomez BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has expressed concern over the unjust vexation charges filed against Bacolod-based journalist Marchel Espina, former SunStar Cebu editor in chief, over an opinion piece published by the community newspaper in December 2024. Espina voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Island Region Field Unit and posted bail of P6,000 in court on Friday. “The Task Force stands with Espina and the four other individuals who were charged, as well as with other media organizations, press associations, independent journalists, news outlets and other members of the press who expressed concern over this incident,” the PTFoMS said in a statement posted on Saturday. Article continues after this advertisement READ: NUJP slams criminal rap vs Bacolod journalist The complaint filed by a district supervising minister of a religious group alleged that the contributed opinion piece published by SunStar Cebu caused him annoyance, irritation, torment, distress and disturbance. The Batangas City Regional Trial Court Branch 1 issued a warrant for Espina’s arrest on July 13. READ: Detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio bags 2026 IWMF justice award “While it is within a person’s right to pursue legal remedies, laws must never be weaponized to suppress journalists from performing their professional duties as truth-tellers and reporting on matters of public concern,” the PTFoMS said. Article continues after this advertisement It noted that “(t)he exercise of legal rights must be balanced with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” pointing out that “no journalist should be subjected to actions that threaten their independence and safety.” “We will monitor developments in this case and ensure that any action affecting members of the media is addressed with respect for press freedom and the rule of law,” the PTFoMS added. Article continues after this advertisement Espina, who also serves as consultant of global media development program WAN-IFRA Women in News, said she voluntarily surrendered because she respects the rule of law and the legal process. More challenging “I intend to answer the allegations through the proper judicial channels,” she posted on social media. After posting bail for her provisional liberty, Espina acknowledged that “the next stage will be much more challenging since the arraignment and the hearings will be conducted in Batangas.” Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “As a journalist, I believe this case raises important concerns about the use of criminal complaints against journalists and editors in relation to their work. I also believe it has a chilling effect on press freedom,” she said. —PNA