Journalist Groups Protest Maguindanao Contempt Claims

Dart Centre Asia Pacific supports calls by the Independent Federation of Journalists and others for the immediate withdrawal of accusations of contempt by the Philippines Court of Appeals against our colleague Rowena Paraan and Maguindanao massacre widow Monette Salaysay.

The Dart Centre believes the contempt accusations appear to be an attempt to silence advocates, witnesses and families of the victims of the infamous massacre of November 23, 2009, in which 58 people were murdered. It is also an attack on the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the Philippines media.

Rowena Paraan is General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and is a tireless champion for the safety and well-being of journalists in that country and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as for their right to do their jobs without fear or favour. Monette Salaysay's husband Napoleon was among 32 journalists and media workers killed in the massacre.

The Dart Centre is concerned that the contempt petition comes at a time when there are continued reports of threats against the victims' families in their quest for justice for their loved ones through this crucial court case.

It calls on the Philippines Court of Appeals to immediately drop its contempt petition and work to a speedy resolution of the trials of the massacre suspects.