HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila M. de Lima strongly condemned the shooting of broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar in Guinobatan, Albay, calling it another grim testament to the perils faced by journalists in the Philippines.
“We strongly condemn the shooting of broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar yesterday in Guinobatan, Albay. We pray for his immediate recovery and call on the Philippine National Police to ensure his safety,” De Lima said in a statement.
The veteran lawmaker lamented that the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous countries for members of the press, pointing to the entrenched culture of impunity and the continued harassment of journalists and truth-tellers.
“Na para bang sanay na tayong nababalita ang mga pinapatay na tagapagbalita. Na normal lang ang pangre-red tag o panggigipit sa nagsisiwalat ng katotohanan. Na katanggap-tanggap na ang napakailap na hustisya,” she said.
De Lima warned that such acts of violence have a “chilling effect” on the Fourth Estate—an essential pillar of democracy—and called on the Marcos Jr. administration to take concrete steps to deliver justice and end attacks on the media.
“Clearly, these senseless killings, attacks, and harassments have a chilling effect on the Fourth Estate—a significant pillar of our democracy. This impunity must end. The Marcos Jr. administration must take serious and concrete steps to bring justice to the victims,” she stressed.
She further underscored the State’s responsibility to safeguard journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders who face threats and intimidation for speaking the truth.
“Paano masasabing pinoprotektahan ang demokrasya kung nagpapatuloy ang pagpatay at karahasan sa mga kawani ng media, mga abogado at human rights defenders?” De Lima asked.
Concluding her statement with a strong call for justice, the opposition lawmaker declared:
“Hustisya, hindi bala. Pananagutan, hindi karahasan.”
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