The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Cagayan de Oro (NUJP-CDO) condemned the torching of journalist Manuel Jaudian’s vehicle outside his house in Sagay, Camiguin on May 10. This case adds to the 177 media attacks the NUJP reported under the Marcos regime.

Sagay hosts a podcast on Mindanao Daily News Network (MDNN) that has discussed political dynasties and vote-buying in recent weeks. He was also a former Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) president and is currently COPC Journalism Institute director.

Jaudian’s vehicle clearly displayed a media sticker on its roof. It also bore the logo of MDNN and Jaudian’s program, Kalandrakas.

According to NUJP-CDO, the incident shows that harassment and intimidation against the media continue in the country. The group joined COPC’s call for the police in Camiguin to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those behind the crime accountable.

NUJP-CDO advised all journalists in Camiguin and the entire Northern Mindanao to exercise caution in performing their important reporting duties, especially regarding the elections.