The second great commandment says; “LOVE THY NEIGHBOR” which includes love for the workers, and love for the toiling masses. Christians for National Liberation (CNL) – Panay and Guimaras decries and denounces the fascist regime for killing our democracy and press freedom in the country.

CNL strongly condemns the cease and desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against the ABS-CBN. This attacked and violated the civil rights of almost 11,000 workers. It trampled democracy and press freedom as the masses are now denied access to free entertainment and news especially in these trying times. This also resulted to power grabbing and indiscriminate repression.

Rodrigo Duterte begins with impunity on a massive scale of extra judicial killings with the recent killing ‘Jory Porquia’ Bayan Muna coordinator in Iloilo City. Thousands of alleged drug users and pushers were dead and this is a clear violation of civil liberties. The grab for absolute power with mopping up operations in a political landscape devoid of any significant organized opposition and the shutting down of the giant television ABS-CBN have been perpetuated by this regime under the mantle of community quarantine.

The NTC and congress that are being slaved by the Duterte dictatorship has been playing tactics that delayed the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN. This is clear diversionary tactics of the Duterte regime in its utter failure to address the pandemic covid19 that is escalating in the country. This is a play of power – a violation of constitutional guarantee of press freedom.

Closing down a major media outlet that has provided news, entertainment, and comfort for millions of Filipinos especially in the rural areas and in the countryside for 65 years seems like a priority of the Duterte dictatorship rather than effectively confronting the pandemic. We are asking the urgency of mass testing but this regime answered back through repression, harassment, intimidation, killings using police and military personnel like martial law.

ABS-CBN has been serving the Filipino people for how many decades already. This government can never silence the power of the people and the church people who remain watchful being the voice of God.

The masses are rising up using various platforms in fighting back. The downfall of Rodrigo Duterte’ authoritarian regime is happening soon.

PRESERVE IN ATTAINING HEIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION WITH SOCIALIST PERSPECTIVE!
INTENSIFY THE PARTICIPATION OF THE SECTOR IN THE PEOPLE’S ARMED REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE!
CHURCH PEOPLE UNITE,SHUTDOWN DUTERTE!
DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!