Human Rights Online Philippines

We, The Pioneer, the Official Student Publication of the College Department of Divine Word College of San Jose, condemn to the highest possible extent the oppression and harassment made against our fellow campus journalist, Mr. Joshua Molo, Editor-in-Chief of UE Dawn.

We likely condemn any other move to silence dissent and to oppress other campus journalists and publications in executing their mandates of speaking truth and in holding “erring” officials and even the government accountable to the public when so requires.

This is in consonance with what happened last April 5, 2020, after Mr. Molo was summoned to the Barangay Hall of San Fernando Sur, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija for some mediation after “offending” his former campus journalism teachers in his post critical of the government. He was given two options – to post a public apology and stop posting criticisms against the government or face arrest and detention. He opted to sign a waiver, stating that he will stop criticizing the government and was asked to make a public apology after he was threatened with a cyber-libel suit.

We are one with other campus journalists and publications who strongly condemn this suppressive move against the right of every individual to free speech. This is a clear and blatant violation of the Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

The Pioneer will continue in advancing its mandate of speaking truth and of giving voice to the voiceless. We shall write with truth; we shall speak with truth.

#DefendCampusPressFreedom
#YesToFreedomOfExpression
#ThePioneerDWCSJ

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